Next Chancellor Race Is All Balls, Darling, Say Bookies

Following what will almost certainly be Gordon Brown's final Budget, William Hill have opened a book on who will be the next person to follow him and deliver a Labour Budget.

On Budget day itself, William Hill say there was a surge of cash for both Alistair Darling and Ed Balls to be the next in line to become Chancellor.

The bookies have now cut Darling from 6/1 to joint 5/1 favourite along with Gordon's virtual namesake, Dermot Browne and David Miliband, while Ed Balls has been shortened from 8/1 to 7/1.

"For once it is not profane to say that it is all Balls, Darling" said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe. "As they are the only two punters want to back to become the next Chancellor."

William Hill also offer 8/1 Hilary Benn; 10/1 Jack Straw; Stephen Timms; 16/1 Alan Johnson; Ruth Kelly; 20/1 John Reid; Dawn Primorolo; 25/1 Charles Clarke; Patricia Hewitt; Alan Milburn; John Healey; John Hutton; 100/1 Tony Blair.