Bookies slash odds of Cameron standing down from the top job as Tory party squabbling gets heated
As Tory in-fighting reaches fever pitch today over whether Britain should remain in the EU, the bookies have slashed the odds on David Cameron standing down as Tory leader before the year is out.
Bookmakers William Hill have cut the odds on Cameron exiting number 10 from 10/1 to 2/1.
William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "There has been a sustained gamble on David Cameron being out of office before the end of this year ever since he confirmed the date of the EU referendum.
"Political punters seem to believe that even if the EU referendum produces a 'remain' verdict, the Tory Party will have become so destabilised that the clamour for a new leadership election will become irresistible."
Conservative MP and Brexiteer Liam Fox said on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show this morning that even if the country opted for Brexit, David Cameron should stay in the top job and that there shouldn't be a leadership challenge.
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Fox said: "Stability for the country is the most important element.
"Let's stick to the issues – let's not turn it into an internal Conservative debating society."
Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire, told the BBC this morning that he thinks it "highly likely" that 50 Tory MPs would sign demands for a vote of no confidence if the EU referendum campaign continues in its current direction. He said that, if the country decides to detach itself from its continental partners, there would be “an orderly departure for the prime minister”.
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On Tory infighting, Graham Brady, chairman of the 1922 committee of Conservative MPs, told BBC Radio 4: "It's unfortunate in two ways. We do have a very big priority which is after the referendum is over we need to make sure we pull together, we get on with the job of governing whatever the outcome in the referendum.
"But the other reason why I think it's unfortunate… we really should be talking about the substantive issues about our democracy."