Bookies predict Brexit Party will get their first MP in Peterborough by-election
The Brexit Party is odds on with the bookies to get its first ever MP in the Peterborough by-election today.
Mike Greene is the overwhelming favourite to be returned to Westminster, in an election caused after Labour MP Fiona Onysanya was removed following a recall petition.
She was convicted for lying to police to avoid being prosecuted for speeding last year, then expelled from the Labour party.
Almost 20,000 constituents signed the petition to remove her from her job.
The election of a Brexit Party MP would cause an extra upset in parliament as politicians seek to find a solution to the paralysis over Britain leaving the European Union.
Bookies have odds ranging, currently, from 1/4 to 1/7 on for the Brexit Party to make their political debut in Westminster.
“Political punters can't get enough of the Brexit Party at the moment and it would be a huge surprise if they didn't emerge victorious in Peterborough,” said Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes.
The Brexit Party are the clear favourite with Labour in second place.
Rupert Adams of William Hill said Labour were currently at odds of 7/2, but that represented a slight improvement on earlier in the day.
The Conservatives are around 50/1.
Mr Adams added that the Brexit Party were, at one stage, 1/8 so their odds are slightly less better than before.
“There’s no such thing as a sure thing in politics,” he said. “Look at Brexit, look at Donald Trump, you just never know.”
But he added that he expected Brexiteers to vote in big numbers in Peterborough.
A resurgent pro-European Union Liberal Democrat party appear to have little chance of winning with odds ranging from 20 to 50/1 for a victory.
Mr Adams though did have a word of warning that the bookies don’t always get it right.
Boxer Anthony Joshua was 1/25 to win his world title fight last weekend, and still lost.
