Surge in betting on Jeremy Corbyn to become prime minister after he promises four extra bank holidays
Labour leader currently accounts for nearly half of bets on who will be the next PM, as one bookmaker cut odds over the weekend
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Your support makes all the difference.Jeremy Corbyn's announcement of four extra bank holidays has sparked a surge in bets that he will become the next Prime Minister.
Nearly two-thirds, or 59 per cent, of wagers in that market during the 24 hours following the announcement were for the Labour leader, according to comparison site Oddschecker.
Mr Corbyn currently accounts for nearly half of bets on who will be the next PM, as one bookmaker cut odds over the weekend.
According to Oddschecker, more than 47 per cent of bettors fancied the Labour leader as the next PM on Monday, compared to just under 30 per cent for Theresa May — whose Conservatives are widely expected to beat Labour in June.
Sky Bet had Mr Corbyn at 7/1 on Monday, down from 9/1 on Friday.
Before the weekend, when Yvette Cooper was touted as joint favourite to be the next permanent leader of the Labour Party, Mr Corbyn had 42 per cent of next-PM bets, per Oddschecker.
An Oddschecker spokesman said: "Despite the high-street bookies predicting an easy victory for the Tories, the majority of the betting public are predicting change in the House of Commons.
"Labour winning the most seats has been the most popular bet on Oddschecker since May’s surprise announcement with Jeremy Corbyn’s party accounting for just under 49 per cent of all bets placed on the market.
"Betting on the general election is following a similar trend to the EU referendum, with the majority of people backing change, but the bigger stakes being [are] placed on the more likely outcome — [the] Conservative Party winning the most seats.
"The odds are the main reason for this. More recreational gamblers aren’t interested in backing the Conservative Party, as putting £20 on the Tories winning the most seats will only return a measly £21.60.
"The more serious, professional punters are happy to back Theresa May’s party as the opinions polls suggest this is an easy way to make a quick profit.
"Bigger stakes on the Conservative Party will shorten their odds even further due to bookmaker liability, which, in turn, will lengthen the price you can get on the Labour Party. This will then more than likely encourage more and more people to back Jeremy Corbyn."
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