Market leader Laila Cunningham heads the betting at 2/1, though she remains a relatively low-profile figure compared to some of the more established political names in the list.

Her position at the top of the market suggests bookmakers believe she has strong momentum heading into the early stages of the race.

Incumbent mayor Sadiq Khan is priced at 11/4 as he eyes another term. However, his tenure has faced mounting criticism over issues including crime rates, transport concerns and housing pressures.

While he retains significant support across parts of the capital, dissatisfaction in other areas has left the race looking more open than in previous cycles.

Former Strictly and Apprentice star Tom Skinner has also entered the market.

Skinner first rose to prominence as a contestant on The Apprentice, where he was fired after the ninth task, narrowly missing out on the interview stage.

More recently, he competed on the 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing, finishing bottom of the leaderboard.

Despite his media profile, Skinner has previously downplayed suggestions of entering politics.

In January, he said: “I’ve been asked so many times to get into politics but I don’t really understand it enough,” and has also described himself as “too nice for politics”.

Nevertheless, he has become increasingly vocal on political issues, particularly those affecting the capital. Skinner has been openly critical of current mayor Sadiq Khan, accusing him of “ruining” London.

He has also expressed support for Donald Trump, writing in a now-deleted social media post following the 2024 US presidential election: “I love Trump I think he is brilliant.”

Skinner’s political connections extend beyond social media commentary. He has met US vice president JD Vance as well as former Conservative MP Robert Jenrick.

With his outspoken views on London and growing engagement in political debate, speculation continues that he could stand in the 2028 London mayoral election.

For now, he remains an outsider in the betting market at 22/1 to become the next mayor.

Restore Britain are priced at 16/1 to win the most seats at the next UK general election.

The election is not scheduled to take place before August 2029, leaving significant time for the political landscape to shift.

Rupert Lowe’s newly formed party has made an early impression in polling. A recent Find Out Now survey placed Restore Britain on 10 per cent, level with the Liberal Democrats, three points behind the Conservatives and five adrift of Labour.

The party was established following Lowe’s expulsion from Reform UK after allegations of bullying, claims he denies. Lowe had also been publicly critical of Reform leader Nigel Farage in the months prior to his departure.

While Reform UK has drawn much of its support from voters on the right, often at the expense of the Conservatives, Restore Britain has positioned itself further to the right still. The party has argued that Reform was “watering down” its stance on the deportation of illegal migrants.

Restore Britain has already secured backing from Advance UK, previously led by former Reform deputy leader Ben Habib. The party has also received support from Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, widely known as Tommy Robinson.

There are, however, concerns within right-leaning political circles that the emergence of Restore Britain could fragment the vote. Such a split could potentially cost Reform UK seats at a future election and weaken the broader right-wing challenge.

Among its early policy announcements, Restore Britain has stated on social media that it would ban foreign nationals from voting in British elections and repeal the Gender Recognition Act.

A by-election has been triggered following the resignation of Andrew Gwynne, who stepped down on health grounds, and it has the potential to send shockwaves through British politics.

The contest comes at a delicate moment for Keir Starmer, whose leadership of Labour is already under heavy scrutiny. With pressure building inside the party, there had been a growing movement urging Andy Burnham to mount a leadership challenge.

However, that route would have required Burnham to return to Westminster first, likely via this by-election, and to relinquish the Manchester mayoralty, a role he has consistently said he intends to serve out in full.

Those plans were effectively shut down when Labour’s National Executive Committee voted 8–1 against allowing Burnham to stand in Gorton and Denton.

The stated concern was that Burnham’s resignation as mayor could open the door for Reform UK to capture the Manchester mayoralty in what would be a costly and high-risk campaign for Labour.

By blocking Burnham’s candidacy, Labour may have created a different problem. The party now faces a serious threat from both Reform UK and a resurgent Green Party.

Early speculation that Green leader Zack Polanski would run proved unfounded, with Hannah Spencer instead selected. Reform UK have opted for Matt Goodwin, while Labour are re-standing Angeliki Stogia, who previously contested the 2024 general election in Chester South and Eddisbury.

Had Burnham been on the ballot, he would likely have headed the market.

Instead, Labour now find themselves outsiders, with their campaign complicated by the need to persuade voters that they, rather than the Greens, are the most credible barrier to a Reform victory.

Odds correct as of 10 February and subject to change.