Those political gamblers who have been backing Tony Blair to stay as Labour leader and Prime Minister have been given a boost by Boris Johnson’s report of the conversation he had in the Mall on his bike with fellow cyclist, Jonathan Powell – Tony Blair’s Chief of Staff. Asked by Johnson – the Spectator Editor and Tory MP – about relations between No 10 and the Treasury, Mr Powell is reported to have said:

“It’s a Shakespearean tragedy. Gordon Brown is the guy who likes to think he’s going to be king but never gets it. He’s never going to be prime minister.”

During the day there has been a sharp fall in the price on Blair being there at the General Election. The option of Blair and Kennedy still being leaders of their parties at the General Election has also seen a tightening.

Politicabetting.com has been saying for months that it is not convinced by the rumours that Blair is planning to step down and Powell’s alleged comments in relation to Gordon Brown seem to reinforce this.