US voters seem to have made conclusive decision: UK DPM

Britain's Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said on Wednesday that the US electorate appeared to have made a conclusive decision to elect Republican George W. Bush as president for a second time.

"They have made a decisive decision it seems this time," Prescott told BBC radio as commentators handed a victory to Bush. He was speaking before an official result in the key state of Ohio which looked set to go to Bush but could still end up in the hands of his Democrat rival John Kerry.

"We must wait and see what the American people have got to say and remember in the last election with Florida," Prescott said, referring to a Supreme Court decision four years ago on the swing state which determined the last election.

Leading bookmakers Ladbrokes said on Wednesday there had been a rush of betting by British punters on Kerry overnight on Tuesday as internet exit polls predicted victory for the Democrat.