Politics
Angela Rayner now THIRD favourite to become next Labour leader
The race to become the next Labour leader has taken a dramatic turn, with Wes Streeting now installed as the bookmakers’ to be next Labour leader favourite at 4/1.
The development comes amid mounting pressure on Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who admitted she failed to pay the correct amount of stamp duty on her £800,000 seaside flat. Rayner has referred herself to Sir Keir Starmer’s ethics advisor, insisting the error was a mistake based on professional advice.
However, the scandal has fuelled growing calls for her resignation, creating fresh uncertainty around Labour’s leadership.
Political insiders suggest that any departure by Rayner would put Sir Keir in a highly difficult position just months into his premiership. Attention has already turned to who might ultimately succeed him at the top of the Labour Party, should events take a more dramatic turn.
| Candidate | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Wes Streeting | 4/1 | 20% |
| Andy Burnham | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Angela Rayner | 8/1 | 11.1% |
| Yvette Cooper | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Wes Streeting (4/1 – 20%)
The Health Secretary has emerged as the bookmakers’ frontrunner. Seen as one of Labour’s most polished media performers, Streeting has carved out a reputation as both pragmatic and ambitious. His growing profile and relatively clean slate compared with his rivals make him a strong contender.
Dave James, odds analyst at WhatAreTheOdds.co.uk, said: “Streeting has quietly built a reputation as one of Labour’s rising stars. The odds now make him favourite, and he has the blend of youth, experience, and media skills that could appeal to both party members and the wider electorate.”
Andy Burnham (7/1 – 12.5%)
The Mayor of Greater Manchester remains hugely popular outside Westminster and has long been tipped for a return to frontline politics. However, questions remain about his willingness to leave the North West power base he has cultivated.
James commented: “Burnham has the experience and charisma that many believe Labour could benefit from in the long term. But unless he re-enters Parliament, his chances remain more theoretical than practical.”
Angela Rayner (8/1 – 11.1%)
Despite her current difficulties, Rayner remains in the conversation as a potential leader. Her working-class roots and strong public following give her appeal, but her position is vulnerable in light of the growing stamp duty controversy.
James noted: “Rayner is a natural communicator and has long been seen as a grassroots favourite. But the current scandal could undermine her credibility, making her leadership prospects uncertain at best.”
Yvette Cooper (10/1 – 9.1%)
The experienced Home Secretary is viewed as a safe pair of hands and a respected party figure. However, her association with previous Labour leadership battles may count against her in a contest likely to favour fresh faces.
Keir Starmer’s future as Labour leader and UK Prime Minister is under growing scrutiny after a turbulent first year in Downing Street, with bookmakers now cutting odds on several rising figures inside the party.
| Candidate | Odds | Implied Chance |
|---|---|---|
| Wes Streeting | 7/2 | 22.2% |
| Andy Burnham | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Shabana Mahmood | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Labour stormed back to power in last July’s General Election, securing a landslide victory and ending 14 years of Conservative rule. But the honeymoon period is already showing signs of strain.
Starmer’s personal ratings have slumped, Labour’s showing in the 2025 local elections was branded “dire” by party insiders, and criticism of the government’s budget statement has intensified questions over whether his leadership can withstand another year of political pressure.
Those close to Starmer have publicly defended him but behind the scenes, attention is shifting toward who could step in if the party decides a change is needed.
Streeting Installed as Clear Favourite
Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North and the current Health Secretary, has been installed as the 7/2 favourite to become the next Labour leader, according to Skybet.
The outspoken frontline minister has found himself at the centre of Westminster gossip, with reports claiming he is being positioned as an alternative to Starmer.
Streeting dismissed the rumours with a tongue-in-cheek swipe at reality TV drama, saying:
“I think whoever’s been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors — it’s about the worst attack on a faithful I’ve seen since Joe Marler was kicked out in the final!”
Despite the light-hearted response, his positioning in the betting markets reflects a notable shift in sentiment among political observers.
Burnham and Mahmood Close Behind
Trailing Streeting but still firmly in contention are two heavyweight figures with strong support bases inside the Labour movement:
Andy Burnham (7/1) – The Mayor of Greater Manchester remains a popular figure nationwide and has long been tipped as a potential future leader.
Shabana Mahmood (7/1) – The high profile Secretary of State is increasingly seen as one of the party’s sharpest communicators and a serious contender if the top job becomes available.
A Leadership Question Westminster Won’t Ignore
While Starmer remains firmly in post, political insiders admit he is entering a critical phase of his premiership.
With economic pressures biting, internal unrest growing, and the Conservatives beginning to regroup, senior Labour figures fear that a weakened Starmer could become a liability ahead of the next General Election cycle.
For now, the Prime Minister’s allies insist he will weather the storm but as bookmakers continue to shorten the odds on his potential successors, the question of “what comes next for Labour” is quickly becoming one of Westminster’s biggest talking points.
Politics
Jeremy Clarkson Tipped to Run Against Ed Miliband as Bookies Slash Odds on TV Star Becoming MP
Jeremy Clarkson has become one of the most talked-about names in British politics this week after bookmakers slashed the odds on the TV personality entering Parliament, following his hint that he could challenge Ed Miliband for his Doncaster North seat at the next general election writes Dave James.
The former Top Gear presenter and star of Clarkson’s Farm is now 2/1 with Coral to win a seat in Parliament his shortest ever odds and 100/1 to one day become Prime Minister. The surge in betting activity came after Clarkson posted a teasing message on X (formerly Twitter), where he wrote:
“People of Doncaster North. Are you happy with your MP? Would you like it if someone from your neck of the woods kicked him out?”
The post instantly fuelled speculation that the 64-year-old, who was born in Doncaster, could be planning a shock move into politics, with many fans urging him to take on the Labour heavyweight.
Jeremy Clarkson’s hint about running for Doncaster North has sent betting markets into overdrive.
The Doncaster North seat has been held by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband since 2005, but the former Labour leader is under growing pressure within Keir Starmer’s cabinet, with bookmakers also pricing him at 2/1 to be the next cabinet minister to leave.
Reports suggest tensions are mounting over Miliband’s net-zero policies, which may clash with Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ upcoming budget as the government looks to balance green goals with economic realities.
While Clarkson has yet to confirm whether he will formally stand, his outspoken views on farming, the environment, and government red tape have made him an unlikely hero for rural voters and a potential thorn in Labour’s side if he does enter the political arena.
Political betting markets often mirror breaking headlines, and this year’s Nobel Peace Prize race is no exception.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has surged to 6/4 favourite with William Hill after unveiling a proposed Gaza peace plan, leapfrogging other global contenders.
The Nobel Peace Prize, awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, recognises individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to peace and humanitarian efforts worldwide.
While the award itself is decided by committee vote, bookmakers offer markets that allow punters to speculate on who might win turning international diplomacy into a betting special.
| Candidate / Organisation | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Donald Trump Sr | 6/4 | 40.0% |
| Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms | 5/2 | 28.6% |
| Yulia Navalnaya | 7/2 | 22.2% |
| UNRWA / Philippe Lazzarini | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Volodymyr Zelenskyy | 9/1 | 10.0% |
| Alexei Gorinov | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan Sparks Betting Surge
Trump’s rise in the odds follows a high-profile meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the talks, Trump unveiled a 20-point Gaza peace proposal, which included:
- An immediate ceasefire in Gaza
- The safe release of Israeli hostages
- The establishment of an international “Board of Peace” to oversee governance
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While the plan has been met with both interest and criticism on the international stage, it has undeniably boosted Trump’s profile in the Nobel betting markets.
His odds of 6/4 now imply a 40% chance of winning, making him the bookmakers’ clear frontrunner.
Behind Trump in the market, Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms have emerged as strong contenders at 5/2.
These community led volunteer groups have been central in providing humanitarian aid amid Sudan’s ongoing conflict, coordinating relief efforts in areas devastated by violence and displacement.
Their growing recognition on the international stage has been reflected in the betting markets, with their odds shortening significantly from outsiders to genuine challengers.
Other Leading Contenders in 2025
Beyond Trump and Sudan’s grassroots groups, several high-profile names remain in contention:
Yulia Navalnaya (7/2): The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, widely seen as a symbol of democratic resistance and political courage.
Philippe Lazzarini / UNRWA (7/1): Representing the UN Relief and Works Agency, Lazzarini’s inclusion reflects global focus on humanitarian operations in Gaza.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (9/1): The Ukrainian president remains on the list, though his odds suggest a lower probability compared to leading candidates.
Alexei Gorinov (14/1): A Russian political prisoner and outspoken critic of the war in Ukraine, whose nomination underscores the Nobel’s recognition of human rights defenders.
While odds provide a snapshot of betting market sentiment, they should not be mistaken for genuine prediction models. Bookmakers set prices based on a mix of public interest, media coverage, and betting volume. This means candidates with high name recognition, such as Donald Trump often appear shorter in the odds than less publicised but serious contenders.
For punters, Nobel Peace Prize betting is as much about following international headlines as it is about weighing the Nobel Committee’s likely decision-making.
Donald Trump’s move to 6/4 favourite illustrates how quickly political developments can reshape betting markets. However, history shows that the Nobel Committee often rewards sustained humanitarian work over headline-grabbing proposals.
As such, while Trump leads the market, contenders like Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms or Yulia Navalnaya remain serious possibilities for the 2025 award.