Robinson 1-5 To Step Down As DUP Leader Before The End Of 2010 – Nigel Dodd Odds-On To Replace Him

William Hill have cut the odds of Peter Robinson standing down as DUP leader before the end of 2010 from 4-9 to 1-5 after he lost his seat in East Belfast to the Alliance party’s Naomi Long.  Robinson, who came under intense pressure to step down following the scandal involving his wife Iris, has said that he will not resign as the party leader.

Bookmakers and punters are not in tune with Mr Robinson’s comments, and they both believe that his time as DUP leader will come to an end - sooner rather than later.

William Hill have also opened betting on who will succeed Robinson as leader of the DUP. The bookies make Nigel Dodds, who retained his seat in North Belfast, their 4-7 favourite to get the job.

William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny told Bettingpro this afternoon “Nobody seems to be convinced about Mr Robinson’s long term future as leader of the DUP.” He continued “Punters across Northern Ireland are backing him to leave before the end 2010, and it’s hard to see how he’ll last the distance.”

William Hill - Northern Irish Political Odds

Peter Robinson to be DUP leader on the 31st December 2010: 1-5 No, 3-1 Yes

Next DUP Leader: (William Hill bet)  4-7  Nigel Dodds, 3-1 Arlene Foster, 9-1 Gregory Campbell, 10-1 Jeffrey Donaldson, Willie McCrea, 14-1 David Simpson, 16-1 Edwin Poots Sammy Wilson, 20-1 Robin Newton, 25-1 Nelson McCausland, 33-1 Jim Shannon, 10000/1 Iris Robinson – Others on request