Next Conservative Leader Odds: Nigel Farage Joins the Bookies Favourites

Last updated: June 27, 2024 by Leon Marshal

With Labour expected to win the UK’s general election, there is plenty of interest in who will replace Rishi Sunak as the leader of the Conservative Party. Many Tory supporters believe the election will be a landslide in favour of Keir Starmer’s Labour and are calling for a radical reset of the party, which could open the door for the divisive figure of Nigel Farage. This article reveals the latest Conservative leader odds and asks, “Will Nigel Farage be the Next Tory Leader?”

bet365 Nigel Farage Next Conservative Leader 6/1 VISIT SITE!

Unless you are one of the Conservative Party members who the Gambling Commission is investigating for placing bets on the timing of the UK general election, the July 4th date was probably quite a surprise.

Given that Rishi Sunak’s party has consistently lagged behind Labour by an average of 20 points in the polls, the general expectation was that he would wait until the end of the year. This delay would allow time for the cost-of-living crisis to ease and for the proposed deportation of illegal immigrants to Rwanda to commence.

However, either the PM feels the polls are inaccurate, or he is confident he can defy the odds and win his party another term. Either way, it’s a big gamble, according to the prices available when general election betting, and if he loses, it seems inconceivable that he will remain as leader of the party, posing the question, if not Rishi, who?

Nigel Farage Odds – 6/1

Nigel Farage is possibly one of the most divisive figures in British politics, especially as Boris Johnson is no longer on the scene.

While many consider him a rightwinger who undeservedly receives “so much airtime”, others regard him as a hero. Many Conservative Party members would like him to become their next leader, despite him being the founder and leader of the Brexit Party, which later became the Reform UK party and is now competing against the Conservatives in the general election. Nigel Farage is priced at 6/1, the fourth favourite, and for some Tories, he would represent a dream appointment.

Farage is famous for his strong stance on Brexit, and many believe he would be the perfect appointment to take advantage of the opportunities that leaving the European Union presents. His leadership style is decisive, which could bring a sense of direction and purpose to the Conservative Party. Farage is also media savvy, and his ability to attract attention and communicate effectively could be beneficial in shaping public opinion and promoting the party’s policies.

His focus on immigration control, law and order and the desire for economic independence resonates with many voters. It aligns with traditional Conservative values and could help address key voter concerns.

The counter-argument is that ‘Nigel Farage, Tory Leader’ would alienate moderate and centrist voters in the party, further fracturing the membership at a time when unity is more important. His tendency to focus on single issues could also prove problematic, with other topics, such as healthcare, education, and climate change, being overlooked. Lack of experience could also prove to be a hurdle as, despite his political influence, Farage has never been elected as an MP.

Will Nigel Farage run for Tory Leader?

While Farage is one of the front runners to replace Rishi Sunak with the bookmakers, there is a degree of doubt if he’d want the position as he’s been critical of the direction of travel of the” split” Conservative Party.

In an interview with Sky News’ Sam Coates, Farage said when asked about the idea of becoming the next Tory leader, “I don’t see myself joining David Cameron’s party”, hinting at his strong stance against certain factions within the Tories. He also claimed that the Conservatives are so split that he doubts the Tories’ ability to oppose effectively in the future.

However, despite being negative about the current state of the Conservative Party, his refusal to rule out joining the Tories tells a strategic approach to keeping his options open while maintaining his current political stance.

Punters think it is not outside the realms of possibility for Farage to be the next Conservative leader. Last month, Farage’s odds were 25/1, much higher than the current 6/1 on offer.

Other Favourites for Conservative Leadership

When Will Sunak Step Down? Predicting the Next Tory Leadership Contest

In a recent Ipsos survey for The Standard, 41% of adults surveyed said they believed Keir Starmer was ready to be Prime Minister, up from 33% a month ago. The 83% who said they were dissatisfied with the government is the highest figure this close to an election, surpassing the 64% for Callaghan in 1979 after the Winter of Discontent.

And while many of the events that have led to an erosion of trust in the Conservative government, such as the Windrush scandal, the Dominic Cummings scandal, the Greensill scandal and Partygate, happened before he was leader. His promise of a government of ‘integrity, professionalism and accountability at every level‘ looks very shallow, especially with Bettinggate hogging the news during a vital time of campaigning.

Also, there is a great deal of resentment regarding Sunak’s income.

A recent breakdown of Mr Sunak’s earnings reveals that he received a ministerial salary of £55,358 in addition to his MP’s salary of £84,119. However, these amounts are significantly less than his investment income, which totalled £289,422, and capital gains amounting to nearly £1.8 million, derived from a “blind managed” fund based in the US. Many question how a multimillionaire can empathise with those struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.

With all this in mind, it seems highly unlikely that he will stay on as the Leader of the Opposition if Labour, as expected, wins the election. So, while there is no such thing as a certainty in politics, based on current trends and expert analysis, it seems plausible that Rishi Sunak might consider resigning soon after the election results are announced.