New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Politics
17 June 2011

Ed Balls balls up

During an argument over Balls's rented constituency office, Balls suggests the landlord take up the

By Duncan Robinson

Ed Balls’s problems with his former constituency office are well-documented. But one particularly funny allegation had escaped The Staggers‘ attention until now.

At one stage during the dispute, [Balls] apparently suggested that Mr Sampson contact his local MP – who is Yvette Cooper, Mr Balls’s wife.

For more scoops like this, head to Property Drum, the only way to communicate with property professionals.

(Hat-tip: @mikeysmith)

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Update: Ed Balls’s office has been in touch. Here’s what they said:

“The reference to Yvette Cooper is nothing to do with Ed Balls’ dispute with the landlord of his office in his former constituency of Normanton. Mr Balls was separately helping the landlord with some planning issues he had with the local council regarding other properties he owned in the area. Given his constituency no longer covers the Normanton area, Mr Balls advised Mr Sampson that he was passing on the correspondence and files pertaining to those planning issues to Yvette Cooper’s office.”

In any case, the dispute was tied up today.

Content from our partners
Homes for all: how can Labour shape the future of UK housing?
The UK’s skills shortfall is undermining growth
<strong>What kind of tax reforms would stimulate growth?</strong>