Thurday’s Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election – A certain CON hold or could we see a surprise?
An opportunity for UKIP’s Doctor Nuttall?
While there’s been a huge amount of focus on Richmond Park the by-election in Sleaford and North Hykeham has received far less attention – both from the parties themselves and the media.
The result from last time makes it difficult to see other than a CON hold on a very much reduced turnout. The fact that it is happening in December so close to Christmas is surely going to depress the number of voters who will bother to vote and this, just conceivably, could lead to a shock. The UKIP betting price has moved in although Betfair makes the Tories a 1/9 shot. UKIP latest are 21/2 while the LD are 44/1.
Surprisingly LAB, second last time, are right out of it in the betting.
The LDs, flush from their Richmond Park gain, have been active but nothing on the scale of their operation for last Thursday’s contest. UKIP have been working hard too in what will be the first electoral test under Dr. Nuttall’s leadership. On paper this should be ideal territory.
Ladbrokes have a 2nd place market up offering:-
2/5 UKIP
4/1 LD
8/1 CON
10/1
Labour being pushed to fourth would be bad news for Corbyn’s party.