Political Betting for the Sports Exchange

[Gordon McIvor Wilson]

PoliticsHome have run a survey today asking for votes on who will be the the next leader of each of the 3 main political parties. A dozen names offered for each, I suppose I recognise 70% and know a little about 20% of the names.

Unusually, all 3 current incumbents look set fair to remain leader of their respective party beyond the next election. They seem ok in terms of age, standing and authority. No lame duck stop-gaps, no aging patriarch/matriarch tottering on the edge.

I dont think there's much of an appetite for such a survey, rather a strange choice/timing of topic for PoliticsHome; more pressing issues to canvass, I would think. Will Maggie make 90, for instance?

Political betting is a natural extension of political commentary. The punter-sphere has grown hugely since the introduction of the betting exchange. Dingy, smoky bookies shops in murky side-streets didnt attract everyone who wanted to place a bet, online betting swept this barrier aside. Wagers can be imaginative and tied in with opinions and features from the commentariat. Big market opportunity here, not fully exploited by the bookies and their mates.

PS What a delight to be spared, this morning, the hassling presenters of TODAY, flaunting their solidarity with their Bruvvers in the NUJ. Strike on, lads and lasses, blessed relief (only short term though, I hope!). The last time I remember the Beeb's TODAY prog interrupted was the Great Storm of 1987 which preceded Black Monday. What are we in for on Monday 8th November 2010 then?

[Gordon McIvor Wilson]

Well, Black Monday the 8th seemed to pass off all right on the world stage, pretty dire on the garden front, the annual battle of the leaves.

[Gordon McIvor Wilson]

Always the Economy. Incomprehensible mantras and loony euphemisms ie quantitative easing.

A treat, though, to be spared the hectoring, impatient tones of John Humphrys for once. He delayed his retirement (shame, shame) because his pension plans had been screwed by Equitable Life. That's a cross for Equitable directors to bear, unforgivable...

In the News gap, the Beeb resurrects archive progs - gentle recordings from the Essex marshes, shades of the 'other' Boot in Scoop! - oh, I could go on but I sense a restive audience.

[Adonis First]

Realisation that hiding the truth behind a programme of printing banknotes - like the old Hire Purchase maxim of "live now, pay later" is the WORST POSSIBLE strategy. Some time very soon politicians and citizens of all colours will rudely awaken to the dawning of "It's the Economy, stupid!"
Maybe that dawn will be next Monday, but somehow I think it will be a while longer before predecessors and incumbents are forced, kiicking and screaming ("it's THEIR fault, not mine!"), to face the music.

Of course, we all know who always ends up paying their piper, WHATEVER lousy tune they call for!........