John Bercow is favourite to be next Speaker of the House of Commons

John Bercow is the front-runner amongst Betfair customers to replace Michael Martin as Speaker of the House of Commons. The Conservative is 12-5 on the exchange to be elected on Monday.

Despite being favourite, his odds imply that he has just a 29 percent chance of getting the nod, suggesting some doubt clearly remains. Bercow's closest challenge at the top of the betting is former Labour Minister Margaret Beckett, who is 3-1 (which implies a 25 percent chance).

Beckett is followed by Tory backbencher Sir George Young, who is 7-2 (22 percent), with Anne Widdecombe 7-1 (12 percent) and Sir Alan Beith 15-1 (6 percent). The other contenders are all 35-1 or bigger.

John Bercow is being described as a shoo-in in some corners of the press but that's clearly not the case if the betting is to be believed. It's one of five for the Speakership but with no overwhelming favourite it's anyone's call.

If you do think Bercow's a cert there's some real money to be made at 12-5!