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Odds cut on Labour minority government after Alex Salmond hints at SNP support Bookies cut odds on Labour government after Alex Salmond hints at SNP support
(1 day later)
Bookmakers have cut their odds on Labour forming a minority government after the general election with the Scottish National Party (SNP).Bookmakers have cut their odds on Labour forming a minority government after the general election with the Scottish National Party (SNP).
William Hill have Ed Miliband as the favourite to become the next Prime Minister at 4/5 and has taken “three figure bets” on his party entering a coalition with the SNP at odds of 13/2.William Hill have Ed Miliband as the favourite to become the next Prime Minister at 4/5 and has taken “three figure bets” on his party entering a coalition with the SNP at odds of 13/2.
The bets are rolling in after Alex Salmond, the party’s former leader, told The Independent that the SNP could set aside its convention of MPs abstaining from votes on English-only laws to prop up a minority Labour government.The bets are rolling in after Alex Salmond, the party’s former leader, told The Independent that the SNP could set aside its convention of MPs abstaining from votes on English-only laws to prop up a minority Labour government.
Graham Sharpe, William Hill’s politics spokesperson, said: “We have had to cut our odds for a Labour minority government from an original 7/1 to 4/1 in the face of continued support, perhaps on the basis of them forging an agreement or understanding with the SNP.Graham Sharpe, William Hill’s politics spokesperson, said: “We have had to cut our odds for a Labour minority government from an original 7/1 to 4/1 in the face of continued support, perhaps on the basis of them forging an agreement or understanding with the SNP.
“We have taken a number of three figure bets for such an eventuality, including one of £200 from a new client based in Derbyshire.”“We have taken a number of three figure bets for such an eventuality, including one of £200 from a new client based in Derbyshire.”
Scotland's former First Minister Alex Salmond Some critics do not deem Labour's success so likely - Tony Booth, the actor and father of Cherie Blair, said the party could only win under Mr Miliband in their "f****** dreams".Scotland's former First Minister Alex Salmond Some critics do not deem Labour's success so likely - Tony Booth, the actor and father of Cherie Blair, said the party could only win under Mr Miliband in their "f****** dreams".
"This is not play school,” he told Newsweek, claiming his son-in-law Tony Blair would stand a better chance."This is not play school,” he told Newsweek, claiming his son-in-law Tony Blair would stand a better chance.
He added: “With Miliband, you find yourself thinking, ‘This is a good kid, but when is he going to get into long pants? Are we just putting him up as a dummy until we find the right person?’”He added: “With Miliband, you find yourself thinking, ‘This is a good kid, but when is he going to get into long pants? Are we just putting him up as a dummy until we find the right person?’”
Mr Salmond told The Independent he would “lay odds on a balanced parliament” that would put power in the SNP's hands and stridently ruled out any co-operation with the Tories.Mr Salmond told The Independent he would “lay odds on a balanced parliament” that would put power in the SNP's hands and stridently ruled out any co-operation with the Tories.
“That’s an opportunity to have delivered to Scotland what we have been promised,” he added.“That’s an opportunity to have delivered to Scotland what we have been promised,” he added.
The former Scottish First Minister is the 1/8 favourite to become an MP in the Gordon constituency and 6/1 to become a government minister following the election.The former Scottish First Minister is the 1/8 favourite to become an MP in the Gordon constituency and 6/1 to become a government minister following the election.
William Hill have opened the books 2/5 on there being no overall majority after May’s election, 4/1 on a Labour victory, 9/2 on the Tories winning, 50/1 for Ukip and only 500/1 on the Liberal Democrats.William Hill have opened the books 2/5 on there being no overall majority after May’s election, 4/1 on a Labour victory, 9/2 on the Tories winning, 50/1 for Ukip and only 500/1 on the Liberal Democrats.
A coalition involving Ukip is on 6/1 and 40/1 for one involving the Green Party.A coalition involving Ukip is on 6/1 and 40/1 for one involving the Green Party.
Ladbrokes also has Labour and Mr Miliband as the favourites, with a Labour/SNP coalition at 16/1, down from from 20/1, and the books open on Mr Salmond becoming Deputy Prime Minister.Ladbrokes also has Labour and Mr Miliband as the favourites, with a Labour/SNP coalition at 16/1, down from from 20/1, and the books open on Mr Salmond becoming Deputy Prime Minister.