You Bet Jack Straw Could Cash In As Chancellor

Bookies William Hill have slashed the odds about Jack Straw becoming the next Chancellor from 6/1 to 5/2 favourite after it emerged that he is to mastermind Gordon Brown's campaign to become Labour leader.

"Punters obviously believe that Jack Straw has taken on the task of helping out with Gordon Brown's campaign on a promise of high office when he becomes Prime Minister - and they think we will be seeing Mr Straw making the next Budget speech." said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

William Hill, who have slashed Brown's leadership odds from 1/12 to 1/20, make Ed Balls and Alistair Darling 4/1 joint second favourits to become the next Chancellor and also offer; 8/1 Des Browne; 10/1 David Miliband; 14/1 Hilary Benn.