Politics
Who will be the next UK Prime Minister?
With UK politics as unpredictable as ever, the race to become the next Prime Minister is heating up, and so are the betting markets.
Here’s a look at the likeliest successors to 10 Downing Street.
Check out the latest betting on the next UK Prime Minister
Nigel Farage – 9/4
Nigel Farage currently stands out as the favourite in the betting at 9/4. His recent elevation reflects two key developments:
He will have been buoyed by Reform UK’s big electoral surge, as the party saw massive gains in the May local elections, winning 677 council seats, with polls now positioning them neck-and-neck with Labour and the Conservatives, boosting Farage as a serious contender to become the next Prime Minister.
His popularity also looks to be growing with the public, with a YouGov poll putting Farage ahead of both Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch as the preferred Prime Minister, and even in Scotland, he’s polling marginally ahead of Starmer, showing his broader national appeal.
If he was to become Prime Minister, it’s likely we will also see a first in Reform UK being the party in power also.
Wes Streeting – 7/1
Wes Streeting is increasingly being talked about as a serious contender for future Labour leadership and even the next Prime Minister – which is priced at 7/1.
As the current Health Secretary, he’s built a reputation as a bold reformer, launching a 10-year plan to overhaul the NHS and taking a firm stance during junior doctors’ strikes. While his tough approach has earned him credibility with party leadership and parts of the media, it has also sparked tension within Labour ranks and left him less popular with grassroots members.
Polling shows that while he is among the top choices for some Labour members, his overall public profile remains limited. Still, with his prominent role in a high-profile brief and growing media presence, Streeting is seen by some as a natural successor to Keir Starmer, if he can broaden his support across the party and the electorate.
Yvette Cooper – 7/1
Yvette Cooper is emerging as a steady and experienced figure in the race to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader and as Prime Minister, also priced at 7/1.
As Home Secretary since July 2024 and former chair of the Home Affairs Committee, she holds a reputation for handling sensitive issues such as immigration and border control, a key battleground for Labour’s image.
Despite this high-profile role, polling indicates a dip in her popularity, hampered by Reform UK’s strong performance in recent local elections and Nigel Farage explicitly targeting her Pontefract seat.
Within Labour’s ranks, she trails better-known names like Andy Burnham and Angela Rayner, polling among the top three for just 16% of party members.
She offers credentials of stability and competence, especially on security and migration, but will need to rebuild support both within the party and with the public if she is to convert her inferred chance into a position at the head of Labour.
