Betting Odds Give UK PM Boris Johnson 91% Chance of Resignation After Latest Scandal

Another day, another scandal

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s leadership of the Conservative party has been in question for some time. The ‘Partygate’ scandal has already caused national outrage this year, but it is another more recent incident that may have tolled the death knell for his career – so much so that sportsbooks have slashed the odds for his resignation.

Tamworth MP Chris Pincher resigned last week following claims that he groped two men at a private members’ club. Despite initially denying that he had any prior knowledge of the allegations, Johnson later admitted that he had known about the complaint in 2019 and proceeded to appoint him into a government role regardless.

the last straw for two Johnson loyalists

Sick of defending their leader’s actions, the scandal proved the last straw for two Johnson loyalists. Chancellor Rishi Sunak and health secretary Sajid Javid both stepped down yesterday afternoon. In his resignation letter, Javid damningly noted that the British people “expect integrity from their government.”

The PM’s position already seemed perilous, but these resignations have caused sportsbooks to slash the odds of him resigning in 2022. Paddy Power has him at -1000 to resign this year, implying a resignation probability of 91%.

A closer look at the odds

In a similar fashion to Paddy Power, Ladbrokes dropped its Johnson resignation odds from +150 last week to -800 today. Whether he will actually step down or not is another question entirely. Some Twitter users are understandably skeptical that the PM will go:

He has certainly faced plenty of bumps along the road throughout his PM tenure without resigning, not least the investigation into ‘Partygate’ which saw the Met Police issue fines to 83 individuals, including Johnson. Still, the PM remained in power.

Conservative party staff and other government officials were found to have held illegal parties during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Gatherings took place in 10 Downing Street, its garden, and other government buildings while lockdowns were in place. At least three were attended by Boris Johnson himself.

If the PM is able to hold onto his position until 2023 or later, sportsbooks have offered much longer odds. Paddy Power is offering +700 for Johnson to leave in 2023 and +900 for 2024 or later. Importantly, the next General Election will take place in May 2024 if Johnson manages to serve his full five-year term as PM. Two-thirds of MPs can trigger an early election through a vote.

Who could take his place?

With Johnson’s Downing Street residency looking more strained than ever, there are plenty of MPs who are most likely itching to take his place. Their odds have also shifted significantly in the wake of the Sunak and Javid departures.

Mordaunt is the odds-on favorite at +500

Without an early General Election, Johnson’s replacement will have to come from his own party. For most sportsbooks, Penny Mordaunt is the odds-on favorite at +500 with Bet365. She is the current minister of state for trade policy and is seen by many Tory members as a good candidate to unify the party.

Even though they have just handed in their resignations, Sunak and Javid are also high up the rankings. In fact, William Hill has Sunak as more likely than Mordaunt to replace Johnson at +400. Meanwhile, Javid is priced at +800 to take the hot seat. Liz Truss, Ben Wallace, and Jeremy Hunt are all in the mix too.

Outside of the Conservative party, Labour leader Keir Starmer stands a chance of taking the PM role if Johnson’s exit prompts an early election. This is an outside shot, however, with Betfair pricing the opposition leader at odds of +1400.

The post Betting Odds Give UK PM Boris Johnson 91% Chance of Resignation After Latest Scandal appeared first on VegasSlotsOnline News.

Casino Provider
Using cutting-edge innovation, data and a never-ending drive to push forward, Ezugi is the partner you need for the best live casino experience.
Play’n GO is an award-winning supplier of high quality gaming content to many of the world’s leading casino brands. Their genuine omni-channel solution can be tailored to suit the needs of individual online and land-based partners, regardless of geographical, regulatory, or market-specific requirements.
Microgaming games are an absolute must for a successful online casino. The provider is the inventor of online slots and progressive jackpots, it has over 20 years of experience on the market, and it has the widest product portfolio. By integrating Microgaming you will attract players with any preferences.
Allbet is an online sportsbook also offering baccarat, blackjack, esports, live dealer games, live/in-play betting, other games, roulette, scratch cards, video poker, and virtual sports using 1X2 Network, BetGames, Betsoft Gaming, Kiron, and Playson software It is owned by Allbet Sports Betting (Pty) Ltd. The site's primary language is English. A download is not required to place a wager.
Gold Deluxe is an Asian-facing developer of live dealer games established in 2011. The company is based in Philippines and currently employs more than 100 individuals. They’ve made their portfolio available at many of the leading gaming sites in Asia, and while still focused on Asian markets, the provider is also starting to deploy their products in other parts of the world.