Odds changed (From Barry And District News)

Odds changed

BARRY voters hit the polls today to chose their next representative in the National Assembly.

But the local electorate seem to have done a swift u-turn, with Labour's Jane Hutt now tipped as favourite.

Just two weeks ago, Conservative David Melding was the bookies' choice, with many voters undecided.

Now she is tipped at 8/11 to win, with Mr Melding on even money.

There is no change for Plaid Cymru, with Chris Franks coming in a 10/1. And the rank outsider is still Nilmini De Silva, representing the Welsh Liberal Democrats, at just 100/1 to win.

Jack Brown Bookmakers' spokesman Karl Williams said: "We predicted the Vale of Glamorgan would be a hotbed of excitement, with the two health spokespeople battling it out. It's been a clean fight, but the quietest out of the 40 constituencies. Cardiff Central and Cardiff North have been busier in terms of money than the Vale."

The decision to swap the leader board did not come as a result of revenue. Karl added: "We didn't see any reason to change the odds, but after HTV put Jane Hutt in the lead by 14 points, we saw no reason not to. There has been no substantial proof this is right, so it looks like the Vale will be a really close call. I might even predict a re-count on the day." But while voter apathy may be worrying politicians in the rest of the country, the people of the Vale seem to want their voices heard.

In 1999, the Welsh voter average was 48 percent, higher than the UK national average. And there is no indication that voter turn-out will be lower this year. n Who will you vote for? See page 23.