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The money now goes on a government defeat

The money now goes on a government defeat

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There’s been a big swing-round at Ladbrokes on the outcome of the crucial time-table motion on the Lords reform bill. This morning it looked, from the betting, that the government would win and it was an odds-on bet. Now that’s all changed and Ladbrokes are offering just 4/6 that ministers will be defeated. You can get 11/10 that the time-table motion will survive. The reform proposals, which are reported to have had the backing of 17 Conservative ministers in cabinet,…

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Lords Reform: The money goes on the Government avoiding defeat

Lords Reform: The money goes on the Government avoiding defeat

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Is this a case where the betting is predictive? The government is odds-on to avoid defeat in the Commons on the Lords’ timetable motion according to Ladbrokes. The book opened at an entirely level 5/6 each of two but all the money so far is against the defeat, forcing the price into 4/5. Those who think the government will lose can take bigger odds of evens. It also remains odds-on at 1/2 that no direct elections for the House of…

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WANTED: A Tory MR/MRS NASTY

WANTED: A Tory MR/MRS NASTY

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Does Dave need an attack dog? Following my early morning post on George Osborne I received an email from a Tory friend. He wrote:- “As I see it, the problem between Osborne and Balls is an extension of a more broad problem for George and Dave. The lack of an attack dog within the Cabinet.” Mrs T had Tebbit and Parkinson etc. Blair and Brown had Blunkett, Reid, Balls etc. etc. The PM & Chancellor have no alternative to put…

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Ed Balls: Labour’s LIBOR lightning conductor?

Ed Balls: Labour’s LIBOR lightning conductor?

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Will this shield the party from Osborne’s attacks? As we all know big buildings are protected from lightning strikes by having a lightning conductor. The idea is that if lightning targets building it will strike the lightning rod and will be conducted to ground instead of passing through the building, where it could start a fire or cause electrocution. Isn’t this what could be the role for Ed Balls as more information comes out about links between the last government…

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Had George just seen his negative ConHome ratings?

Had George just seen his negative ConHome ratings?

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Is the leadership slipping away from his grasp? For me the most striking feature of today PMQs was the look on Osborne’s face as he sat next to David Cameron. I wonder whether he’d seen the latest “poll” on ConservativeHome which for the first time has the chancellor showing a negative rating. He’s on -2 joining a select group of Tory cabinet ministers who get a minus number when percentage of those saying they are “satisfied” is deducted from those…

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Can the blues make the LIBOR affair stick on Labour and Miliband?

Can the blues make the LIBOR affair stick on Labour and Miliband?

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Could it really be be a game changer? The headlines are not good for Labour this morning as more accusations come into the open about the last government and the LIBOR scandal. You sense a real sense of relief in the battered blue team that now they can go on the attack. Whoever does the Tory HQ Twitter feed appears to be on steroids as every effort is made to maximise damage to the party with solid 40 ratings in…

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