Gary Lineker Odds To Enter UK Politics Revealed After Gullis Challenge

Gary Lineker would stand a chance of beating Tory MP Jonathan Gullis in Stoke-on-Trent North at the next UK election.

However, the likelihood of him running for Parliament remains an outside chance for now with UK betting sites.

Lineker is one of the BBC’s more outspoken presenters and is a regular stoker of right-wing ire for expressing his political views on social media.

The Match of the Day presenter, who was suspended back in March for comparing the government’s immigration stance to “Germany in the 30s”, recently signed an open letter alongside other celebrities calling for a “fair new plan for refugees” in response to the government’s Rwanda deportation plan.

Gullis claimed Lineker’s actions were “another breach of the BBC’s impartiality rules”, even though they aren’t. The BBC guidelines on impartiality refer to broadcast output only.

Still, it was enough for Lineker to hit back at Gullis, saying: “Jonathan hasn’t read the new guidelines….or, should I say, had someone read them to him?”

And this led to the controversial Stoke MP challenging ex-England striker Lineker to run against him at the next election.

Big talk all round – but could Lineker beat Gullis at an election? We’ve assessed the chances of the 63-year-old entering parliament. 

Gary Lineker Odds

BoyleSports reckon Lineker is a 500/1 outside shot to be the next prime minister after Rishi Sunak. 

That seems unlikely when you consider Sunak’s days are already numbered. 

The PM is either going to be ousted by his own MPs or lose the next UK general election to Labour, if the bookies are to be believed.

Here, then, are some more realistic options for the former Leicester and Tottenham striker:

Lineker Odds vs Gullis

Were Lineker to stand in Stoke-on-Trent North then we reckon he'd have a fighting chance to beat Gullis. 

His odds of 4/1 with political betting sites would still make him the outside pick against Gullis (2/1), but this price is based on Lineker running as an independent candidate.

Were he to run as a Labour candidate then we reckon Lineker would be favourite for the post, around Evens. 

Recent polling data shows Labour, who are conveniently yet to name a candidate for Stoke-on-Trent North, are polling at 46.6%.

Tory Red Wall MP Gullis, who has a 15.7% majority, is polling at 35%.

“Could he do it on a wet Tuesday election night in Stoke?” Lineker joked of Gullis. UK elections are held on Thursdays but the sentiment is there nevertheless.

Lineker Odds To Run To Become An MP

We reckon Lineker is 10/1 to run as an MP in 2024 and 15/1 to be elected. 

That suggests a low probability and highlights the true distance between Lineker’s position as a political influencer and an actual politician.

Much like Carol Vorderman, Lineker is vocal on social media about his political views. 

However, he is not affiliated to a specific party and has not indicated an interest in running as an independent. We also don’t know how effective a campaigner he would be.

What’s more, he would likely have to surrender his job as MOTD presenter were he to run for office, as well as other time-consuming roles in the media.

To Present Match Of The Day And Be An MP

Were Lineker to become an MP then he would almost certainly have to ditch his MOTD duties. BBC impartiality guidelines ban MPs from being presenters. 

In fact, Ofcom generally doesn’t permit MPs to present TV or radio shows “unless, exceptionally, it is editorially justified”.

Lineker may argue that presenting MOTD is non-political. Yet it’s unlikely that he would do a dual role even if he were allowed, and instead commit his time to parliament.

At 20/1 with betting apps, we’re doubtful that MP Gary Lineker would continue to anchor the BBC’s flagship highlights show. 

Some Tory MPs seem to thrive on doing multiple jobs, but Match of the Day would be a stretch too far.

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.