Stephen Kearney the clear challenger to the Conservatives in Henley say bookmakers

6.38.05pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 6th Jun 2008

Liberal Democrat campaigner Stephen Kearney has been installed by Ladbrokes bookmakers as the clear challenger to the Conservatives in the race to succeed Boris Johnson as Henley MP. Labour are 'odds-on' to lose their deposit.

Liberal Democrat campaigner Stephen Kearney said:

"These odds are very encouraging and show us as the clear challengers to the Conservatives. Our campaign has already been up and running for several weeks, Nick Clegg has already visited and will be visiting the constituency on numerous occasions in support of my campaign in the next few weeks. My team and I are very encouraged by the odds and I'm sure there will be quite a few of us placing a bet as soon as possible before our odds shorten.

"The bookmakers odds show what even the Labour Party themselves have recognised that they are out of the race in Henley. Labour supporters across the Henley Constituency know that only the Liberal Democrats can beat the Conservatives here."

Note: odds from http://www.ladbrokes.com