The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Ed Balls is the least popular Labour politician

Blow for leadership candidate as poll shows that he is significantly less popular than his rivals.

By George Eaton Published 03 June 2010 13:45

Opinion polls on politicians should always be treated with caution, for the simple reason that many of those surveyed will know little or nothing about the figures in question.

But with Labour immersed in its first leadership contest for 16 years, the latest PoliticsHome poll may make more of an impact. The poll found that Jon Cruddas is Labour's most popular politician, with an approval rating of +3. He is the only Labour figure with a positive rating, although only 27 per cent of the public had an opinion of him.

That Cruddas has never held ministerial office means that he has not been required to take the sort of decisions that can alienate the public. But I'd be surpirsed if his affable, open style didn't also benefit him.

Of the leadership contenders, Andy Burnham fares best, with an approval rating of -2, followed by Ed Miliband on - 5, David Miliband on -7 and Ed Balls on -39. Of the four, more of the public (61 per cent) had an opinion on Balls than any other candidate.

Findings like this should concentrate Labour minds. It would be politically irresponsible to elect a candidate so clearly disliked by the public.

Meanwhile, despite the noble efforts of my colleague Mehdi Hasan, Vince Cable remains Britain's most popular politician, with an approval rating of +24.

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Tags: Andy Burnham Ed Miliband David Miliband Labour leadership Ed Balls

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8 comments

Fri, 2010-06-04 11:38 — swatantra nandanwar

I can't see how the marginal nature of Balls seat has got anything to do with it. The best thing would be to contrive boundaries so that all seats were marginal so that a genuine election took place. That criminal fact is that a majority of the seats are safe and you give those characters a job for life.
As for Mandy peers from all Parties are brought in as working peers, we've had a whole batch of them last week. Mandleson was brought in to do a job and he did it. What is unwarranted though is to give peerages to peole who won't even bother to turn up apart from to collect their allowances.

Fri, 2010-06-04 11:53 — Molly Coddle (not verified)

Ed Balls is a frustrated social engineer and, has been said before, is dangerous. He is too concerned with taking away civil liberties that our forebears fought for and shed their blood for.

Fri, 2010-06-04 12:23 — swatantra nandanwar

The fact is most of the Civil liberties that our 'ancestors' fought for were aginst the efforts of the forces of conservatism, intransigence and reactionism. The liberties were indeed hard fought by people you would regard as 'on the Left'. All Govt is about 'social engineering' whether its tax or planning policy, you are attempting to change peoples behaviour directing them along a certain path, which they may not want to go. Whether its IHT keping money in the family instead of fairer redistribution of wealth or councils refusing planning permission because of nimbyism.

Thu, 2010-06-03 16:58 — Debi Evans (not verified)

I am very impressed with Mr Balls. On a personal level I have been mighty impressed with the 18mth pen pal relationship he has had with my SEN son. I have seen a much softer, kinder and empathetic side to Mr Balls that I hope he will exude during the Labour Leadership Campaign. He has my vote.

Thu, 2010-06-03 17:41 — Dave H (not verified)

Given what he tried to do to home education in his last year in office, he's got a hard core of people who'd give him an approval rating of much lower than -39. He's very wedded to the idea that the man in Whitehall knows best and parents are not to be trusted and need to be monitored carefully.

Thu, 2010-06-10 14:59 — Renu

I am somewhat surprised that who are these public? As I myself or my family and friends didn't get a call or mail from NS or any other media tycoons regarding these polls & public views. Who measure these people? I know that these candidates whom have been in the Labour politics since they were 15yrs old. They lived and survive through Thatcher time & Major hated what they did to the society and Blair Brown period made enormous amount of changes. The way they can to share the solidarity and if Ed B wants to be making money he has got enough qualifications from prestige universities experiences to match and perhaps enough contacts. Staying in Labour he has shown the commitments to our cause of solidarity they have proven that they are here to stay and make the changes need to be doing. Very brave and modest.
However I have met Ed B on several occasions as treasury consultation meetings and as an academic on Education Consultations, he is very much in love with the changes to the 21 century fit for purpose world, passionate pro-parental choice very kind man. I must say that out of most of the candidate he was very much comfortable with the Labour members, don t pretend to be there just because he has to. He look at people straight , talk to them, take time to listens’ and spend time, this is my experiences during the policy consultation period before he becomes the MP and having become one of most powerful politician he has not changed. I also personally know Yvette through Lab; they both have been committed Labour party workers, constantly fighting for rights of people. I just don’t understand how people came in to conclusion about EdBalls from the very first debate and there over 40 debates to go around and there are many new and old issues need to be debate and put out for people to decide. Therefore pls be open minded and may be Ed is not all that Left but most certainty he is not a centre right politician. He cares about people; he is a young father and very pleasant person. It is very important to leave them to get on with it and let the Labour public to make their mind up. That is the whole point of hustings. I was Ed M supporter and since EdB put himself forward I switch to EdB simply I don’t believe that Milliband’s should own the Labour party. We got to be very careful that we don’t play part on creating space for Kennedy type of politics within Labour, it needs to be sovereign democratically process.

Thu, 2010-06-03 23:13 — RWS (not verified)

I normally don't forensically examine the words and actions of politicians, but Mr. Balls' Machiavellian like pursuit of Home Educators (largely through his witless lackey Graham Badman) forced me to do this with regard to him.

The poll results do not surprise me.

I agree with Dave H, he is a VERY dangerous man whom the British people are wise to distrust.

Fri, 2010-06-04 01:24 — Earthtracer (not verified)

It is not surprising to find the ghastly Balls and equally ghastly Mandelson bottom of the political popularity stakes. Both are overweeningly ambitious and neither give two rude fingers for the electorate. Balls only just squeaked back in and of course Mandelson is an unelected shoe-in via the Upper House.
I don't trust either of them _at all_!!!