But on half a field of non-starters, and with a possible front-runner missing? If they did that in horse-racing they'd be up in court.

Not at all.  The runners haven't been declared yet and anyone can propose anyone at the moment - Mary Robinson probably coming from left field as far as many Heads of Government are concerned.  The fact that Lipponen isn't mentioned merely means few in Ireland/UK have heard of him and none have asked to lay a bet. (There's an opening for you - you'll get good odds on a first bet...;-))

The fact that this qualifies as "news" on a slow news day in the MSM (which repeats the "President of Europe" crap) says more about the MSM than the PP marketing strategy which specialises in quirky news attention grabbing stunts.  It's in the entertainment business, not Europolitics, and shouldn't be taken any more seriously than that.  

I suspect the MSM seized on it because it does offer some kind of list and some way of measuring the relative perceived chances of many of the key players - late entrants notwithstanding.  As I said above it will be interesting to see how the odds change based on where the bets are laid based on what the MSM say based on what some would be insiders say based on what some insiders may or may not have said.

notes from no w here