UKIP on the prowl

Sports Betting: 

ONE of the closest General Elections for years is almost upon us and the one outcome looking increasingly likely is a coalition Government for the second term in a row.

Though the Conservatives are 2-9 shots to win most seats, it is debatable whether they will gain enough to win outright majority. The same is true of Labour (9-2 for most seats), so an alliance with another party seems most likely.

As Ed Miliband has publicly stated his party will not form a coalition Government with the SNP, the Liberal Democrats again seem to hold the trump card for post-election bargaining.

Indeed, the Lib-Dems are only 5-4 to be part of a coalition government, so it seems leader Nick Clegg may once again hold a position of authority after the votes have been counted.

As for the big job, Miliband and current incumbent David Cameron are even money to be the next Prime Minister.

In Oldham, it looks like there will be a sea of red. Labour are 1-16 to win in Oldham East and Saddleworth, 1-100 to take the Oldham West and Royton seat, and 1-100 to win in Ashton, which also includes Failsworth.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this election is the performance of Nigel Farage’s UKIP party, which has been surpassing political pundits’ expectations in the last couple of years.

One seat UKIP will have set their sights on is the Heywood and Middleton constituency which was retained in a by-election by Labour’s Liz McInnes, who succeeded the late Jim Dobbin.

But Labour’s majority was cut to little more than 600, so this is one seat UKIP will feel they can win with their man John Bickley. Labour are 1-9 favourites, with UKIP 6-1.



twitter: @KeithMcHughOC