Bookie pays out on Conservative election win

People who backed David Cameron and the Conservative party to win the most seats in this week's general election can now go collect their winnings, after the bookmaker announced it is paying out early on bets placed on a Tory victory.

Paddy Power will pay out in the region of £100,000 in winnings because it is so confident of a Conservative victory.

The Tories had their odds for winning the most seats slashed from 1/5 a week ago to 1/16, following David Cameron's strong performance in the final TV debate last week.

Paddy Power told the Press Association: "Dave is heading for Downing Street and punters can come and collect their cash.

"If money talks then what we have seen in the last few days tells us the Conservatives are going to win the Election.

"The only question remaining is whether they secure enough seats for the all important majority - and the betting is starting to suggest they can."

If the Conservatives do form the next government, they will be tasked with creating more much needed new homes and affordable homes. Here is a summary of what they propose in their housing manifesto.

Conservatives housing manifesto
The Tories want to abolish all new home developer targets and offer council tax incentives to local councils instead, although it is not clear what impact this will have on existing council taxes in each borough, despite the party's insistence that rates will be frozen next year.

The Opposition wants to hand greater powers back to local authorities, permitting Local Housing Trusts to control the construction of new homes in their local areas. This would allow for greater community feedback and potential local referendums.

The party also wants to give social tenants with five years good behaviour a 10% equity stake in their home, scrap stamp duty for first-time buyers on homes up to 250,000 ‘permanently' and get rid of Home Information Packs.