By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk
After topping the LabourList/Left Foot Forward/Liberal Conspiracy shadow cabinet survey today, Yvette Cooper is now the bookies’ favourite to be the next shadow chancellor – although her husband Ed Balls is close behind her. What seems clear is that the bookies think the post must go to either Cooper or Balls, but they’re not sure which one.
Joe Murphy in the Evening Standard suggests that sources close to Ed Miliband believe that Cooper is the “safer choice of the pair”.
If Cooper does become shadow chancellor, she will be immediately installed as the favourite to be the next Labour leader. Ladbrokes spokesman Ciaran O’Brien said:
“If Yvette tops the poll we’ll have no choice but to make her clear favourite to be next leader – the shadow chancellor job will give her a high profile. Combine that with her current popularity in the party and she has to be the new front runner, with David Miliband close behind.”
Shadow chancellor odds
Yvette Cooper Evs
Ed Balls 5/4
Andy Burnham 7/1
Douglas Alexander 10/1
Liam Byrne 16/1
Alan Johnson 16/1
Steven Timms 16/1
Shaun Woodward 16/1
Sadiq Khan 20/1
Caroline Flint 25/1
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