Bookmaker stops taking bets on May poll
Bookmaker William Hill has stopped taking bets on the timing of the next general election.
The bookmaker predicts the vote will be held in May, with the 5th the most likely date.
The firm said it had closed the book on a May election but would be offering 10/1 odds that it occurs at any other time.
Spokesman Graham Sharpe said the Royal Wedding between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles effectively ruled out a national vote in April.
Labour are 1/8 favourites to win the election, according to William Hill, with the Conservatives at 9/2. The Liberal Democrats are long shots at 40/1.
William Hill is also offering odds of 9/2 that Tony Blair beats Margaret Thatcher’s record of 11-and-a-half-years in office.
Mr Blair has long odds of 50/1 that he steps down before the general election and 14/1 that he quits within a year of an historic third term of office.
Labour can call the election at any time before June 2006 and can give only 17 working days notice for a snap poll.
