Punters Vote Budget An Election Winner

Punters have voted Gordon Brown's budget a potential Election winner, say bookmakers William Hill , who have cut the odds about Labour wining the next General Election from 11/8 to 5/4 after taking their first significant bets for them this year following Wednesday's Budget.

"Whether it is in the income tax cut which has impressed punters is difficult to say, but after several months during which we have failed to take any significant money whatsoever for a Labour Election victory, we have now taken enough to encourage us to trim their odds slightly from the longest price they have been since coming to power ten years - 11/8 - in to 5/4." said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe. But the bookies make the Conservatives 4/7 favourites to be the largest single party after the General Election, with the Lib Dems 80/1 outsiders.

William Hill offer 6/4 that there will be a Hung Parliament.

With some pundits believing that Gordon Brown may opt for a snap General Election when he takes over as PM, William Hill offer 25/1 that the next General Election will take place in 2007; 11/2 that it is in 2008; 5/6 2009; 11/8 2010.

Gordon Brown is now red hot 1/12 favourite with William Hill to succeed Tony Blair as Leader of the Labour Party.

William Hill also offer odds of 12/1 D Miliband, 14/1 J Reid, 16/1 A Milburn; 33/1 H Benn, P Hain; C Clarke, 50/1 M Beckett, J Straw, J Prescott, E Balls, M Meacher.

"It looks all over bar the voting - no-one will bet against Gordon Brown who now looks sure to be crowned without a real fight" said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

With David Cameron having appeared in public with his hair sporting partings on the left, right and centre in the last week, William Hill are betting on how it will be styled on General Election day - and offer Evens parting on the right; Evens on the left; 16/1 in the centre; 10/1 none at ll; 500/1 that he wears a wig.

"It would seem likely that the leader off what is traditionally recognised as the Party of the Right that's the side his parting should be - but apparently his hairdresser may have the final say." said William Hill's spokesman.