In the aftermath of a YouGov poll of Labour......>

UK: In the aftermath of a YouGov poll of Labour party members released on 1 Jan,

Sir Keir Starmer is now the strong favourite to win the contest to take over

from Jeremy Corbyn, according to betting markets.

- Starmer has gone from an implied probability of 34.5% before the release of

the poll to 56.3% at 0835GMT on 3 Jan. 

- Left-winger Rebecca Long Bailey stays in second place at 20.2%, down from

27.0% before the poll.

- Some chatter that the strong showing for Starmer - shadow Brexit Secretary,

represents the London seat of Holborn and St. Pancras, seen as on the

centre-left of the party - could spur the National Executive Committee (NEC),

which is dominated by left-wing figures, could seek to hold the election over a

short time period in order to maximise the chances of a left-winger (such as

Long Bailey) winning the contest. 

- At present the contest is due to start in earnest in the coming days, and

conclude in March.