When will Blair step down? Bet on 2007?

Bookmakers William Hill have opened a book on when Tony Blair will cease to be in office - and make 2007 their 5/4 favourite, with 2006 offered at 9/4; 2008 3/1; 2009 8/1; 2005 12/1; 2010 or later 20/1.And Hills offer 9/2 that Blair will lead Labour into the next Election, 11/2 that he stays in office long enough to eclipse Margaret Thatcher's eleven and a half year term.**LABOUR are 4/9 favourites to win the NEXT General Election with William Hill, who make the Conservatives 13/8 - the shortest odds they have been since 1992 - with the Lib Dems at 50/1. 'Labour are still odds-on favourites, but they will have the 'familiarity breeding contempt' factor to deal with next time round' said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe, 'While the Tories currently have the momentum on their side'**ONE WILLIAM HILL client was celebrating collecting £109,000 by backing Labour, after taking odds of 1/11 that they would be the largest single party, and betting £100,000. Another high rolling client this week staked £70,500 on Labour - and won £1672. Another Hill's customer collected £10,000 courtesy of George Galloway's win in Bethnal Green after betting £200 at odds of 50/1 on the Respect party winning a seat, immediately after Galloway formed it.**LABOUR went into the Election as red hot 1/33 favourites with the Tories at 14/1 and the Lib Dems 150/1. 'The gamblers had the best of the exchanges, with some hefty bets landed, but they seem to have over-estimated the ultimate majority and the big money for a Labour win of 81 or more seats has been lost.' said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.**GORDON BROWN is 2/1 to become Prime Minister in 2007 with William Hill, who make him 1/6 favourite to succeed Gordon Brown. David Davis is 4/1 favourite to succeed Michael Howard with Hills who also offer 8/1 Messrs Fox, Osborne and Rifkind.