If there is any uncertainty about the outcome of an event—be it in sports, politics, or life in general—Brits will bet on it. Ahead of the most unpredictable general election in a generation, you better believe that the bookies are offering odds on almost every permutation of the vote.
On the night before polls open, here are the latest odds for a range of possible outcomes, along with similarly likely events for context:
No overall majority (hung parliament) – 1/20 odds (95% probability)
… is as likely as Germany beating Gibraltar at soccer
Conservatives to win the most seats – 1/5 (83%)
… is as likely as Prince Charles becoming the UK’s next monarch
Conservatives to win a majority of seats – 7/1 (12.5%)
…is as likely as one of David Beckham’s kids playing for Manchester United
Labour to win the most seats – 7/2 (22%)
… is as likely as Prince William becoming the UK’s next monarch
Labour to win a majority of seats – 40/1 (2.4%)
… is as likely as Christian Bale becoming the next James Bond
SNP to win every seat in Scotland – 9/2 (18%)
… is as likely as Scott Walker winning the US Republican party presidential nomination
Nigel Farage to become the next prime minister – 100/1 (1%)
… is as likely as alien life being proven in 2015