The Queen’s Speech in Parliament has announced the UK Government’s plans for the next five years but not even Larry and the rest of the Downing Street cats expect Theresa May to be around to implement those plans.
Former chancellor George Osborne described the Prime Minister as a ‘dead woman walking’ following a disastrous General Election campaign which was supposed to strengthen Mrs May’s hand in forcing through legislation. But most of her policies proved deeply unpopular and she saw a comfortable majority turned into an overall deficit in the House Of Commons. Many of her proposed changes have been scrapped and others watered down and a deal with the Democratic Ulster Party to keep the Conservatives in power is proving tough to finalise, leaving everyone in limbo.
It would be madness for the Tories to ditch Mrs May before Parliament’s summer recess but supporters of various candidates for the top job having already been canvassing MPs and nobody, probably including Mrs May, expects the PM still be in her job when autumn comes around.
So who are the favourites to become Conservative leader?
David Davis, a relative commoner compared to most Conservative politicians, would probably have been happy representing a small constituency in East Yorkshire until he retired but now finds himself at the forefront of British politics, leading the team tasked with securing a positive Brexit agreement. A dutiful politician, would he step away from that to become leader of a party in almost complete disarray? Bookmakers make him a general 3/1.
Boris Johnson is a man with infinitely more ambition and is 7/2 with Betfred to be Next Conservative Leader.
Betfred have come along way since humble beginnings and now claim to be the world’s largest independent bookmaker. Betfred run a user-friendly platform which pulls in other great features like live in-play betting, live sports and the always-popular Tote.
Image is a problem for Bris Johnson’s ambitions. He’s been playing the fool for that long that people believe him to be genuinely ill-equipped for office. He also did himself no favours in the EU Referendum, suggesting there is a trust issue. Michael Gove, a general 20/1, has an even less trustworthy profile. Amber Rudd (a general 9/1), would probably lose her seat in Parliament with another small swing away from the Conservatives.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond (a general 8/1) and Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson (11/1 with Betfred) have both been critical of Theresa May so that puts a tick in their column. But the former is hardly brimming with charisma and the latter can be outspoken on topics that carry little interest to the majority of voters.
Next Conservative Leaders Betfred Odds
David Davis (3/1), Boris Johnson (7/2), Phillip Hammond (6/1), Amber Rudd (8/1), Ruth Davidson (11/1), Michael Gove and Sajid Javid (20/1), Damian Green, Justine Greening and James Brokenshire (25/1)
