YOU BET IT WON'T BE A MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR POLITICIANS

 Written by Graham Sharpe

DAVID CAMERON is Prime Minister this Christmas - but will he retain that role until next Christmas? In fact, what are the chances that all four of the current major Party leaders - Messrs Cameron, Clegg, Farage and Miliband will still be leading their Parties next Christmas?

William Hill think that Mr Cameron will do well still to be PM on Xmas Day 2015, and offer 4/9 that he has stood down before then. And Hills are offering 25/1 that all four current major Party leaders - Cameron, Clegg, Farage, Miliband - will have managed to remain in charge when Santa turns up next year. 'None of the current Leaders can be too certain that they will hang on to their position for the whole of 2015' said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.'For example,we make Ukip 4/11 to poll more votes than the Lib Dems, which would make Mr Clegg's position somewhat tenuous.'

Hills also think voters may have had to go to the polls TWICE before next Christmas Day, offering 8/1 that there will be two 2015 General Elections. 'We make it a 2/5 chance that the first General Election of the year produces no overall majority for any on Party - and if that is the case there is every chance of a minority or coalition government falling apart very quickly' added Sharpe.

WILLIAM HILL have cut their odds about Labour forming the next government despite not having an overall majority. 'We have had to cut our odds for a Labour minority government from an original 7/1 to 4/1 in the face of continued support, perhaps on the basis of them forging an agreement or understanding with the SNP' said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe. 'We have taken a number of three figure bets for such an eventuality, including one of £200 from a new client based in Derbyshire.'

Alex Salmond, who is 1/8 favourite to become an MP by winning the Gordon constituency, has hinted that the SNP may be willing to help out a Labour government - and Hill are offering 13/2 that they will form a coalition government with them and 6/1 that Alex Salmond will become a government Minister following the General Election.

GENERAL ELECTION...2/5 No overall majority; 7/2 Con-LD coalition; 4/1 Labour overall majority; 4/1 Labour minority government; 9/2 Cons overall majority; 9/2 Lab-LD coalition; 6/1 Coalition involving Ukip; 13/2 Coalition involving SNP; 7/1 Cons minority govt; 40/1 Coalition involving Greens; 50/1 Ukip overall majority; 500/1 LD Overall majority.