Bookies think Steven Woolfe is most likely to be the next leader of Ukip though they aren’t ruling out a third comeback for Nigel Farage
The UK's biggest high street bookmakers haven't ruled out Nigel Farage returning to the helm of Ukip for a third time, though the party's migration spokesman Steven Woolfe is being tipped to take the top spot.
Ukip was plunged into another search for a leader yesterday after Diane James stepped down, having spent just 18 days in the role.
In a statement she said she will not be formalising her nomination to the role as it had "become clear that I do not have the sufficient authority, nor the full support of all my MEP colleagues and party officers" to pursue changes to the party.
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Ladbrokes and William Hill are both offering 1/2 odds (around a 66 per cent chance) that Ukip's Member of European Parliament for the North West of England Steven Woolfe will be the new head of the party.
Steven Woolfe (Source: Getty)
Suzanne Evans, who Nigel Farage recommended to be interim leader when he resigned following last year's general election, also has short odds of 4/1 from Ladbrokes and 5/1 from William Hill.
Former deputy leader and current MEP Paul Nuttall is also being tipped for the role, with 5/1 odds from both bookies.
Farage the Comeback Kid?
Arron Banks, Douglas Carswell and Lisa Duffy are among the other leadership hopefuls but the familiar face of Nigel Farage is also making an appearance.
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William Hill has placed odds of 8/1 for Nigel Farage to make a third comeback as the head of the party he spearheaded for the last decade. He resigned on 4 July following the pro-Brexit outcome of the June referendum.
Ladbrokes have taken a slightly more conservative estimate, placing 10/1 odds on a third-time-lucky spell as leader.
"Nigel Farage is obviously the go-to man for Ukip but members may also feel they have to create a new identity under a long-term replacement for him," said William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe.
Farage, who is still party leader, told Sky News this morning he will not return to the head spot, "not for ten million dollars".