The Staggers

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Is Balls heading for a “Portillo moment”?

Tory opponent releases attack ad comparing leading Brown ally to Michael Portillo in 1997.

By George Eaton Published 26 March 2010 11:07

Here's an attack advert that Ed Balls's Conservative opponent has released, suggesting that the Schools Secretary could suffer the same fate as Michael Portillo did in 1997.

It's refreshing to see the comparison made correctly for once. The term "Portillo moment" is too often used merely to describe a well-known MP losing his or her (often marginal) seat. In fact, it should only apply to a significant political figure (Portillo was defence secretary) losing a safe seat (he had a majority of 15,563).

As such, Jacqui Smith's defeat in Redditch, where she has a notional majority of just 1,948, would not be a Portillo moment. But Balls's defeat in the new constituency of Morley and Outwood, where he has a notional majority of 9,784, would be just that.

So, what are the chances? The Tories dismiss talk of a "decapitation" strategy, but they are aggressively targeting the seat and campaigners have apparently been taken aback by the local hostility towards Balls.

The Schools Secretary also faces a challenge from a popular BNP councillor, Chris Beverley, and has been accused of pandering to anti-immigrant sentiment in response.

It seems all the ingredients are in place for an upset. And there is no doubt that the defeat of Balls, described by one cabinet minister as "the chief stormtrooper of the Brownite shock-troops", would be welcomed by the Tories like no other.

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Tags: Ed Balls

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26 comments

Sat, 2010-04-10 17:15 — ian (not verified)

Recalling Ed Balls as Gordon's special adviser at The Treasury he was always combative on behalf of his boss. Increasingly he worked in tandem with Damian Mc Bride. If as increasingly looks likely Brown crashes and burns electorally Balls will almost certainly fall with him.
Much of the disasterous tax legislation is down to ED and also the 10p tax fiasco he really does have a lot to answer for. In seeking
to advance his cabinet career he has neglected his constinuency until recently. He has been trying to get himself noticed locally by raising dog whistle issues on immigration amidst strong BNP activity.
It doesn't look good for ED.

Sat, 2010-03-27 17:26 — JeremyP

@TWright 26 March 2010 at 17:57

He flipped his house 3 times in 2 years
//
Not only that, it was he and Brown who concocted and enabled "flipping" to be allowed.

Sat, 2010-03-27 21:32 — LJS (not verified)

I've met Ed Balls and had a lot to do with his department through work.

He is absolutely committed to the young people we work with and he's been a good secretary of state.

Sun, 2010-03-28 01:29 — Tony the Tory (not verified)

Jonathan Stone is, quite clearly, an Ed Balls plant....if not Ed Balls himself.

Balls is also my MP.

The facts are that Balls long since abandoned the Horbury and Ossett parts of his current Normanton seat, realising that firstly it largely votes Tory(There are no Labour councillors) and secondly the people there don't like him.

Ed Balls is a crap constituency MP. His inability to reply to a letter is legendary....so much so, that he found it necessary to give an interview to the local paper denying that he was a crap MP.

I recently wrote to him on an issue merely to test the theory. I had to phone his secretary simply to get an acknowledgement(6 weeks. She apologised and droned on....I eventually got an answer after 10.5 weeks.

The Outwood part of Morley & Outwood largely votes Tory.....The councillor count is 4-2. Balls is loathed in places like Wrenthorpe and Carr Gate. and Morley doesn't want him.

Everyone I know will be voting for Calvert

Wed, 2010-03-31 17:18 — Gary (not verified)

Just thought I'd mention for anyone misled by Tony the Tory that Outwood does NOT vote mostly Tory.

Outwood is a very strong Labour area. The Tories have managed to win councillors in Outwood and Wrenthorpe ward due to very low turnouts at local elections but I know for a fact, having canvassed most parts of Outwood at various times, that most voters are left-leaning Labour voters.

Apathy is going to be the biggest enemy to Labour at this election but if Labour can get out its vote it will crush the Tories easily on May 6th.

Sun, 2010-03-28 22:36 — Gary (not verified)

Ed Balls is also my MP and my experience has been that he has stood up for local people, represented local issues and shown a genuine interest and involvement in community affairs.

In fact we previously had Bill O'Brien as an MP before Ed Balls, and whilst Bill was a kind principled man who certainly did his best to represent people, he never had a constituency office and frankly was never as involved in the community as Ed has been.

I too was very sceptical when Ed came in but I have been proved wrong and I'm happy to admit it.

I also went to school with Antony Calvert (same year/ many same classes) and frankly I would never vote for the guy. He was an idiotic little right-wing weasle then and I can't think he's changed much since.

Mon, 2010-03-29 11:21 — Commentator (not verified)

Same old Tories: no policies so attack the individual. Using Ashcroft's millions they will say anything to get elected and do nothing to help normal people.

Fri, 2010-03-26 11:20 — ROBERT TAGGART (not verified)

Hoping in hope !
Both Balls and his wife take their safe seats for granted. They make multiple expenses claims 'earning' themselves amounts of money their constituents could never handle ! To oust them would reflect well on their constituents... it would prove not all Liebour safe seats are inhabited by 'thickos and losers' !

Fri, 2010-03-26 11:50 — timmy2

I thought the 'thickos and losers' mostly voted Tory.

Fri, 2010-03-26 12:34 — Jonathan Stone (not verified)

Ed Balls is my MP and of course candidate for the new (and rather bizarre unwanted & locally unsupported) seat of Outwood & Morley. I know quite a few local people who have had cause to seek his help or support, as their local MP, in many and varied matters. In my experience, every one of them tell the same story, of a man willing to help his constituents and intervene where required.

He has recently become involved in a matter brought to his attention by a relative of mine who, along with two other parents, had reason to be upset with the actions of a local school in respect of their Children. He agreed to meet with them within days and is now involved with trying to bring the issue to a satisfactory conclusion. This matter is essentially just between the school and these three families and my relative was extremely sceptical of both Ed and whether being, Schools Secretary, he would fail to tackle the school. Far from it, he acted like every MP should and they have all been impressed with his quick intervention and desire to represent them in this case as a local MP, first and foremost.

I do know that many local people are jumping to the conclusion that, because both Ed and his wife are members of the cabinet, they are ignoring local concerns and taking their seats for granted! When I ask them if they have dealt with Ed or Yvette over an issue, I nearly always get the same answer "no but..."

So Robert, have you dealt with Ed or Yvette over a local issue and if so why were you not happy with their response? I don't think you live in either seat, otherwise you would be, by your own grossly generalised definition, be a 'thicko and loser'!

PS. Thanks for that BTW... I don't believe that any seats are inhabited by anything other than the overwhelming majority of decent, law abiding people, whatever their political views. However, most villages have an idiot...

Fri, 2010-03-26 17:42 — RalphJolly (not verified)

Balls and his wife are expenses thieves and were they not MPs they would be facing prosecution.
Good luck to all the alternative candidates. Anything would be better than these toffs who are more interested in thieving public money than public service.

Fri, 2010-03-26 17:46 — bill Jones (not verified)

Jonathan
As a Labour supporting Ed Balls sceptic, I was really pleased to read what you say as I was beginning to think my dislike of the man was irrational. You have made me realise that it is.

Fri, 2010-03-26 17:47 — Alan (not verified)

Why, why, why, oh why would ANYONE vote for Balls/his wife/Gordon Brown or any of the rest of the bunch of incompetents who have destroyed our country in the past 13 years. ....and I've never voted Tory in my life but I'm definitely in the 'Anyone but Brown & friends' Party.

Fri, 2010-03-26 18:05 — Talwin (not verified)

Bill Jones. Your dislike of Ed Balls is not irrational and is shared, I would imagine, by half the country. He is a significant member of Brown's dissembling, mendacious inner circle (along with the likes of Damien McBride, Charlie Whelan and the dark Lord Mandelson), always ready to brief against those who may have crossed their master, Gordon Brown. None of this is negated by the fact that on a particular occasion Balls may (or may not!!) have responded to a constituent. Balls is an odious creep. He deserves to lose his seat.!

Fri, 2010-03-26 18:47 — Blinky (not verified)

I bet he's hoping all the pensioners in his constituency have forgotten he put a claim in for £33 for wreaths at a remembrance service.

Fri, 2010-03-26 18:57 — TWright (not verified)

He flipped his house 3 times in 2 years.

All this publicity is bound to make those who weren't going to bother, vote against him instead, so please keep it up.

Fri, 2010-03-26 19:00 — Geo (not verified)

Balls is a really nasty piece of work having met him. Arrogant, selfish and frankly with such a sense of entitlement its almost painful to watch him interact with "little people".
He is the sort of socialist that gives us a bad name.

Fri, 2010-03-26 19:13 — Steve Buckel (not verified)

It is perfectly possible to be a good constituency MP and a ghastly minister.

Ed Balls is both, as have been many before him.

The demands of each role are completely dissimilar.

Fri, 2010-03-26 19:39 — Graham (not verified)

I'm praying that Ed & Yvette Balls will both lose their seats...they give the Labour Party a bad name. Ed Balls must the most annoying, self important MP of the current crop. How such a creep has wriggled in to a senior position in the government is beyond me!

Fri, 2010-03-26 19:44 — JohnT (not verified)

His inability to read the green rule book should disbar him and his wife from parliament.He is not alone in this but many others who were unable to follow the rules are standing down.

Fri, 2010-03-26 21:27 — Dave H (not verified)

He's not above bending the rules in his department either. What's the point of a public consultation on proposed legislation if the report isn't published until the day before the legislation gets its second reading? The CSF Select Committee was fairly scathing about the conduct of DCSF in producing legislation before completing the proper processes.

Fri, 2010-03-26 21:56 — keo (not verified)

Chris Beverley may like to know that last week my nephew broke his own record, he had to book 11 interprerters (previously 9) so that claimants could be called in to talk about their claims, mind you he also said the interperers would also come in handy, as the office was now full of immigrants who had been taken on in temp jobs.

My Guess Balls would just say "so what!"

Fri, 2010-03-26 22:37 — Rob (not verified)

Would be great to see the look of disbelief on his smug face.

Am hugely grateful that Darling managed to hold onto his job in 2008 - Balls is self deluded and would have conspired with Brown to drive us even deeper into debt (past the unprecedented levels we're already in).

Groupthink reigns in the bunker, the sooner it's flushed out the better

Sat, 2010-03-27 00:30 — ROBERT TAGGART (not verified)

re: timmy.
Really ? Then explain...
Just look at Britain... why are the smarter / better areas (suburbs, country) mostly Conservative (occasionally LibDem !)and the scruffier / worst areas (council estates / inner cities / ghettos) mostly Liebour ?
Were it not for the ignorance of the latter Liebour would never stand a chance. It be an indictment on any place that be a safe Liebour place.