Next Conservative leader odds and predictions: Sunak drifts to 3-1

Rishi Sunak has blown his biggest chance to change the dynamics of the leadership contest, according to Matthew Engel, political betting columnist for the Racing Post.

Engel said: "Sunak really needed to establish his authority last night but totally failed to do so. Not only did Liz Truss match him in debate, Sunak kept interrupting her. For a normally courteous man, it smacked of desperation.

"There is probably no group in the country that values good manners as much as the members of the Tory party. The evidence now is that Truss is well ahead, and that's no way for him to win over waverers. It smacks of Donald Trump.

"The next TV duel is on Thursday week but it is being shown on Sky News, which has much less reach than BBC1. The membership may already be voting by then.

"And frankly the quality of argument has been so awful, so repetitive, it is hard to imagine anyone wanting to watch it.

"Neither candidate offered a single imaginative new thought. It was even worse than the four and five-way debates that they had before."

This morning bookmakers were showing Truss at odds as low as
1-4 and Sunak can be backed at 3-1.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Not got a bet365 account? Bet £10 & get £50 in free bets

Open account offer. Minimum deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as bet credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Minimum odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude bet credits stake. Time limits/T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

CLAIM OFFER HERE

MORE FREE BETS

Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport