Former postman Alan Johnson has emerged as the man punters are backing to deliver himself the Deputy Leadership of the Labour Party, causing William Hill to slash his odds from 6/1 to 4/1 second favourite to win the race to be number two to the next Leader, obviously widely expected to be Gordon Brown.
Hills currently make Hilary Benn 3/1 favourite to become the next elected deputy leader and they also offer 9/2 Jon Cruddas; 8/1 Hazel Blears; Peter Hain and Harriet Harman; 10/1 David Miliband; 14/1 Jack Straw; 16 Tessa Jowell; 20 John Reid; 25 Yvette Cooper.
'Mr Johnson was a fancied contender for the outright leadership at one stage and political punters clearly believe he is well placed and sufficiently well supported to launch a serious bid for the deputy leadership' said William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe.
**Godon Brown is 1/12 favourite to become the next Leader of the Labour Party with William Hill, who make David Miliband 10/1second favourite and John Reid 11/1 third favourite.