With the election just over a fortnight away, it’s time for Obiter to open a book on the next justice secretary.

We’re offering the ambitious and ubiquitous Sadiq Khan at 3/1; the fondly remembered Chris Grayling at 7/2; and the quietly persistent Shailesh Vara at 9/2. Imperishable Lib Dem Simon Hughes edges into the betting at 9/1, followed by the voluble and Twitter-friendly Andy Slaughter at 16/1. Aspiring Labour newbie Keir Starmer (pictured) is surely worth an each-way punt at 20/1.

Bringing up the rear are Nigel Farage at a tempting 33/1, and sadly underused talent Dominic Grieve at 66/1. You can have Alex Salmond at 500/1.

Not really, of course. Obiter doesn’t want one’s collar felt. But the first reader to correctly forecast both the identity of the next justice secretary and the date of their appointment (sometime in May, one assumes) wins a bottle of best Gazette bubbly. Predictions before 7 May, please, to obiter@lawsociety.org.uk.

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