Bookies comments

I found this on the Political Betting website - 

Some of my best political bets have been with the Conservatives. Duncan Smith (33/1) and Cameron (11/1) have both come up trumps for me in the past. Now that we know the names of qualifying candidates for the Scottish Conservative leader and have seen them in action at conference there is one name that leaps out in value. Jackson Carlaw looks tidily placed to mop up from his more fancied opponents’ weaknesses and possibly land the prize.

Murdo Fraser (6/4 Stan James) started as the front runner but his bid has been harmed by the idea to wind up the Scottish Conservative Party and rename it The Caledonians, Scotland First or the Scottish Reform Party. To some it’s too superficial, to others it’s too extreme and represents an enormous political risk. I hear that it featured throughout the hustings debate in Manchester and has now made Fraser quite a polarising character. My conclusion is that if he doesn’t get your first preference because of this he’s reasonably unlikely to get your second or third vote.

Ruth Davidson (4/5 William Hill) is popular among the party’s big hitters and has won a number of endorsements from Lord Strathclyde and David Mundell, the only Tory MP in Scotland. At 32 the former journalist was formerly head of Annabelle Goldie’s office and is also said to be Cameron’s favoured candidate. She has had to defend herself from complaints about having access to the party membership email list as well as accusations she has benefited from support from the Conservative Party staff resulting in the suspension of the party’s top spin doctor in Scotland. These all reflect her insider status and are likely to backfire and annoy activists. In an ideal world her sexuality would not be an issue, but as with Michael Portillo it’s unlikely to be an asset with the party’s more traditional membership.

Jackson Carlaw (10/1 Paddy Power) has a number of qualities… READ MORE

I have to say, I was surprised at the odds – but that’s politics for you.