Next week marks a crucial chapter for the Labour Party leadership of Jeremy Corbyn as both Stoke-on-Trent Central (Staffordshire) and Copeland (Cumbria) constituencies head to the by-election polls (Thursday 23 February).
A divided party following the departure of senior cabinet members, Labour battles to keep two of its supposed ‘safe seats’. Should labour lose the constituencies of Stoke and Copeland many predict that the result will put the final nail in Corbyn’s party leadership coffin.
Updating its ‘by-election’ markets Betfair politics places Labour as slight Stoke Central favourite at 10/11. The bookmaker realises that Labour’s Gareth Snell faces tough competition from UKIP leader Paul Nuttall priced at 6/5.
In Cumbria, Betfair currently predicts that a ‘red constituency’ will likely turn blue with the Conservative Party’s Trudy Harrison (priced 1.95 – 60% win chance) winning the vacated seat.
Naomi Totten, Spokesperson for Betfair, commented on the market: “Labour are just about favourite to win the Stoke-By-Election but UKIP aren’t far behind at 6/5 and, with UKIP leader Paul Nuttall holding a Brexit press conference in the constituency on Monday, it might be enough to push his party over the line in a constituency that voted heavily for Leave.
“In Copeland, the Conservatives have been favourite almost since the market opened with Labour struggling to convince voters of their support of the nuclear industry upon which the area so heavily relies.”
At present Betfair politics have priced Jeremy Corbyn at 1.3 to resign from his leadership position before the next General Election is called.
Source: SBC News
