UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond was full of banter and punch-lines as he delivered Wednesday’s Autumn Budget, but Paddy Power Politics details that it could be ‘Spreadsheet Phil that becomes a laughing stock in the aftermath of his speech’.
The early Budget criticism is already enough for Paddy Power to make it odds-on for the Tory government to replace Hammond as Chancellor before 2018’s Autumn Budget (1/3).
Furthermore, Hammond has been widely criticised by Tory Party hardliners and Conservative media for pursuing a ‘Soft Brexit’.
In terms of a replacement, Paddy Power points to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt who was seen nodding along vigorously during Wednesday’s presentation, presumably safe in the knowledge that he’s the favourite to succeed Hammond (5/1).
Current Environment Secretary Michael Gove has made no secret of his desire to take on the role, is next in the betting (6/1), ahead of UK Communities Secretary Sajid Javid (7/1).
Updating the market, Spokesman Paddy Power detailed: “Philip Hammond was full of jokes as he delivered the Budget, but the immediate backlash suggest that it was a comedy of errors.
“We now make it odds-on that he won’t deliver next year’s Autumn Budget – which should, at least, free him up to launch a nationwide stand-up tour.”
Paddy Power Politics – Hammond Specials
1/3 Not to deliver the 2018 Autumn Budget
100/1 To launch a nationwide stand-up tour in 2018
Next UK Chancellor
5/1 Jeremy Hunt
6/1 Michael Gove
7/1 Sajid Javid
9/1 John McDonnell
9/1 Chris Grayling
10/1 David Gauke
10/1 Amber Rudd
33/1 Boris Johnson
50/1 David Davis
Source: SBC News
