Liberal Democrat Leadership Race

Since Charles Kennedy resigned his position as the leader of the Liberal Democrat party in early 2006 following media revelations about his alcohol problems, the race has been on to find a successor to lead the third party in UK politics. It's been a tightly run race, although, for many, the leadership campaign has so far been a public display that there are not enough cupboards in which politicians can hide their skeletons!

Liberal Democrat Leadership Candidates

Menzies Campbell: Menzies is seen by many as the elder statesman in the race to lead the Lib Dems and the odds on favourite to win the competition. Menzies is currently in control of the Liberal Democrat Party, having stepped up from his position as Deputy Leader due to the resignation of Charles Kennedy. Betting on Campbell has been strong but with the odds on him being very short they offer little real value to punters. His website is located at http://www.mingforleader.org.uk/ (though from what we can see it isn't finished yet!)
Simon Hughes: Hughes was seen by many as the best leadership bet outside of Menzies Campbell. However, recent revelations regarding his sexuality have placed this in doubt. Hughes is younger than Menzies Campbell and has experience of holding the Government to account. Betting on Hughes appears to be tailing off though, which may signify that his chance to lead the party has passed. As William Hill spokesperson Graham Sharpe has said, "The biggest bet we have taken for Simon Hughes throughout the race is £1500, but in the past forty eight hours the biggest has been just a fiver. No one wants to back him now".
Chris Huhne: Chris Huhne, a once not so famous member of the Liberal Democrat Party, has been moving into second place in the betting with the odds on him winning constantly being cut by online bookmakers. Chris has his own website at http://www.chris2win.org.uk, although it tells you little about what he stands for. This fact has been widely debated in the online Liberal Democrat communities and no one knows very much about his polices except that he won't raise anything beyond environmental taxes.

Mark Oaten was standing as a candidate for the Liberal Democrat Leadership but has been forced to pull out over allegations of having picked up a rent boy.

Latest News on the Election

Punters have been losing faith in Simon Hughes, who at one stage was odds on favourite. He is now a 4/1 outsider. Menzies Campbell has became the hot favourite at 1/2, with Chris Huhne moving into second place at odds of 11/4.

'There is probably the best part of half a million pounds riding on the outcome of the contest and the biggest bet we have taken for Campbell is £3000 and for Huhne, who has now become clear second favourite for the first time, is £1000.'

William Hill spokesperson Graham Sharpe