Are you still lumbered with one of their “Deputy PM” bets?

Seven months ago I wrote here about confusion at William Hill over their market on who was going to replace John Prescott. For the earlier version of William Hill’s deputy market was not on who would be deputy leader, but who would become deputy prime minister.

At the time when the betting started, after the 2005 general election, the two roles were seen as being almost synonymous and many people put money on believing that they were one and the same thing.

So those who bet on the eventual deputy leader winner, Harriet Harman, have not been paid and the bookmaker continues to hold onto their cash waiting, apparently, for some future time when a Deputy Prime Minister position is created again.

Brown’s decision not make Harman Deputy PM means that the bookmaker is still hanging onto the cash of those who bet on this market early. Hills have been sitting on much of the stake money for nearly two years – not bad business if you could get it.

What would happen if no Deputy PM is appointed before the general election, the Tories win and Prime Minister Cameron appoints, say, David Davis to the role or in a coalition government with the Lib Dems makes Nick Clegg the deputy? This would mean that the winner of the betting market would never have been listed amongst the runners.

Surely as a goodwill gesture Hills should either refund the stake money or pay-out on Harriet Harman.

Come on Mr. Bookmaker – what about a bit of Christmas spirit?

Update on “the Observer” I have still heard nothing from the “senior” person in the party who owes me £500 over our Lib Dem leadership vote shares wager. Tomorrow, unless my cheque is in “the Christmas post” I will be publishing the email address he uses together with his IP numbers which might help with his identification.

Mike Smithson