Ed Balls

4.1. Entry into Parliament

In July 2004, Ed Balls was selected as the Labour and Co-operative Prospective parliamentary candidate for the Normanton parliamentary seat in West Yorkshire, a traditional Labour stronghold. He stepped down from his role as Chief Economic Adviser to HM Treasury to pursue his parliamentary ambitions, taking up a position at the Smith Institute, a political think tank. Both HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office confirmed that all proper procedures were followed in his transition.

Balls was successfully elected as the MP for Normanton in the 2005 United Kingdom general election, securing a majority of 10,002 votes and 51.2% of the total vote. Following proposals by the Boundary Commission to abolish his constituency, Balls actively campaigned, in conjunction with the local newspaper Wakefield Express, to save the seat. He, along with his wife Yvette Cooper and fellow Wakefield MPs Mary Creagh and Jon Trickett, pursued an unsuccessful High Court legal action against the Boundary Commission's proposals.

Despite these efforts, the Normanton constituency was abolished. In March 2007, Balls was selected as the Labour Party candidate for the newly formed Morley and Outwood constituency. Unlike Normanton, this new seat was considered a marginal constituency, incorporating parts of both the abolished Normanton and Morley and Rothwell constituencies. He was elected for Morley and Outwood in May 2010. As an MP, Balls demonstrated progressive stances on social issues; notably, on 5 February 2013, he voted in favor of the House of Commons Second Reading vote on marriage equality in Britain. He was also a member of the Labour Friends of Israel.

4.2. Ministerial Roles

In May 2006, Ed Balls was appointed Economic Secretary to the Treasury, a junior ministerial position within HM Treasury, as part of a Cabinet reshuffle. During this period, he collaborated with Jon Cunliffe to prepare a report for the G7 finance ministers on the economic aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, demonstrating his engagement with international economic issues.

On 27 June 2007, when Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, Balls received a significant promotion, being appointed Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. In this role, Balls brought together schools and children's policy under a unified framework, notably through the "Children's Plan." A key achievement of his tenure was raising the education and training leaving age in the UK to 18. This policy aimed to ensure that young people received more comprehensive education and skills development before entering the workforce. While Balls was considered for the role of Chancellor in 2007, the position ultimately went to Alistair Darling.

In October 2008, Balls announced the government's decision to discontinue SAT tests for 14-year-olds, a move that garnered broad support from teachers, parent groups, and opposition MPs. However, the decision to retain SAT tests for 11-year-olds was met with some criticism from educational leaders, who viewed it as a missed opportunity for broader reform.

A notable and controversial intervention during his ministerial tenure occurred in December 2008, following the tragic Death of Baby P case. Balls directly intervened in the operations of Haringey Social Services, ordering the immediate dismissal of Sharon Shoesmith, the director of children's services, without compensation. This decision was made amidst widespread public outcry and calls for her dismissal, including from then-opposition leader David Cameron. Prior to her dismissal, Shoesmith had been praised in her role as Director of Education, though she lacked a social work background. An emergency Ofsted report, commissioned by Balls in November 2008, found that safeguarding arrangements were inadequate, although Shoesmith's lawyers later alleged that the final report had been altered. Shoesmith subsequently initiated a Judicial review against Balls, Ofsted, and Haringey Council, leading to a series of appeals. While the Conservative Opposition supported Balls' right to dismiss her, emphasizing ministerial accountability over judicial review, Shoesmith ultimately received compensation as her sacking was deemed "procedurally unfair." The Department for Children, Schools and Families was denied leave to appeal to the Supreme Court. In October 2013, Shoesmith agreed to an out-of-court settlement with Haringey Council, reportedly for a sum of 'up to 600.00 K GBP'. Despite the legal outcomes, Balls maintained his stance, asserting on 29 October that, "faced with the same situation [he] would do the same thing again."

Balls also sponsored the Children, Schools and Families Bill, which had its first reading on 19 November 2009. A key part of the proposed legislation was the introduction of regulation for parents who home educate their children in England, in response to the Badman Review. This included provisions for annual inspections to assess the quality of education and the welfare of the child. Home educators across the UK actively petitioned their MPs to remove these proposed measures. Ultimately, several parts of the bill, including the proposed register for home educators and compulsory sex education lessons, were abandoned due to a lack of cross-party support ahead of the May 2010 general election.

4.3. Shadow Cabinet and Leadership Bid

Following the 2010 general election and the subsequent resignation of Gordon Brown as both Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, Ed Balls announced on 19 May 2010, his candidacy in the election to replace Brown. He was the third candidate to secure the necessary 33 nominations from members of the Parliamentary Labour Party. The field of contenders included former Foreign Secretary David Miliband, former Health Secretary Andy Burnham, backbencher Diane Abbott, and former Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. Balls ultimately finished in third place, and Ed Miliband was elected as the new leader.

After the leadership election, the new leader, Ed Miliband, appointed Balls as Shadow Home Secretary on 8 October 2010. He held this crucial role until 20 January 2011, when the unexpected resignation of Alan Johnson for "personal reasons" led Miliband to announce Balls as Labour's new Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.

As Shadow Chancellor, Balls became a central figure in Labour's economic policy debates, frequently appearing alongside Ed Miliband at joint press conferences. Together, they advocated for a "five-point plan for jobs and growth," designed to stimulate the UK economy. This plan proposed reinstating the bonus tax to fund the construction of more social homes, bringing forward long-term investment projects, reducing VAT to 17.5%, implementing a one-year cut in VAT on home improvements to 5%, and introducing a one-year National Insurance break. In January 2012, Balls controversially declared that he would continue with the public sector pay freeze, a stance that drew opposition from union leaders like Len McCluskey. He also engaged in a notable and intense exchange in the House of Commons with then-Chancellor George Osborne regarding the Libor rate scandal, during which Osborne accused Balls of involvement. This accusation led to discontent among some Conservative MPs after Bank of England deputy governor Paul Tucker denied any encouragement to pressure Barclays, prompting calls for Osborne to apologize.

4.4. 2015 General Election and Loss of Seat

The 2015 United Kingdom general election marked a significant turning point in Ed Balls' political career. In a closely watched contest, Balls lost his seat in Morley and Outwood to the Conservative Party's Andrea Jenkyns by a narrow margin of 0.9%. This defeat was widely described by commentators, including Larry Elliott of The Guardian, as the "Portillo moment" of the election, referencing Michael Portillo's unexpected loss in 1997, which symbolized a major shift in political fortunes. Reports later claimed that the Labour leader's office had anticipated Balls' likely defeat for two weeks prior to polling day but had not informed him. Following his departure from the House of Commons, it was reported on 11 May that Balls would receive up to 88.00 K GBP in expenses to cover relocation costs and the closure of his parliamentary office, part of a larger 11.50 M GBP payout to former MPs.

4.5. Allegations over Allowances

In September 2007, Ed Balls, along with his wife Yvette Cooper, faced accusations from Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker of "breaking the spirit of Commons rules" regarding the use of parliamentary allowances. The controversy centered on their £655,000 home in north London. Balls and Cooper had purchased a four-bedroom house in Stoke Newington and designated it as their second home, rather than their primary residence in Castleford, West Yorkshire. This designation allowed them to claim up to 44.00 K GBP annually to subsidize a reported 438.00 K GBP mortgage under the Commons Additional Costs Allowance, of which they claimed 24.40 K GBP. Critics argued that since both worked full-time in London and their children attended local London schools, the London property was effectively their main home. Balls and Cooper countered that "The whole family travel between their Yorkshire home and London each week when Parliament is sitting. As they are all in London during the week, their children have always attended the nearest school to their London house."

Further scrutiny arose in May 2009 when it was revealed that Balls and Cooper had "flipped" the designation of their second home three times within a two-year period. In June 2008, they were referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over allegations that they were claiming expenses for what was, in practice, their main residence in London. Their combined claim amounted to 24.00 K GBP, which was "slightly more" than the allowance for a single MP. The commissioner ultimately exonerated them, concluding that their motives were not for profit, as they had paid full capital gains tax. Despite the official exoneration, the incident contributed to broader public concerns about parliamentary expenses during that period.

5.1. Fabian Society and Policy Influence

Balls has been a prominent figure within the Fabian Society, a British socialist organization that has historically influenced the Labour Party. In 1992, he authored a Fabian pamphlet advocating for the independence of the Bank of England, a policy that was subsequently adopted by Gordon Brown when he became Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1997. His early advocacy for central bank independence demonstrated his forward-thinking approach to economic governance.

His commitment to the Fabian Society deepened over the years; he was elected Vice-Chair for 2006 and subsequently served as Chair for 2007. In his capacity as Vice-Chair, he launched the Fabian Life Chances Commission report in April 2006, which focused on addressing issues of child poverty and improving life opportunities. In November 2006, he opened the society's "Next Decade" lecture series, where he emphasized the importance of closer European cooperation on environmental issues.

Balls played a central role in shaping New Labour's economic reform agenda. He and Gordon Brown distinguished themselves from the "Blairites" by consistently emphasizing their grounding in traditional Labour Party intellectual traditions, such as Fabianism and the co-operative movement, alongside their commitment to modernizing policy and electoral strategies. In a March 2006 interview with the New Statesman, Balls articulated his comfort with the term "socialist," stating that it posed less of a problem for his generation compared to older politicians like Tony Blair and Brown, who had been affected by the ideological conflicts of the 1970s and 1980s. He explained, "When I was at college, the economic system in eastern Europe was crumbling. We didn't have to ask the question of whether we should adopt a globally integrated, market-based model. For me, it is now a question of what values you have. Socialism, as represented by the Labour Party, the Fabian Society, the Co-operative movement, is a tradition I can be proud of." This statement underscored his belief in a market-based economy guided by socialist values.

5.2. International Engagements

Ed Balls' involvement in international affairs extended to his participation in the Bilderberg meetings, an annual private conference of approximately 120 to 150 political leaders and experts from industry, finance, academia, and the media. He attended the Bilderberg meetings in 2006, 2014, and 2015, engaging in discussions on global issues.

Furthermore, during his time as Economic Secretary to the Treasury, he was commissioned, alongside Jon Cunliffe, by the G7 finance ministers to prepare a report on the economic aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This initiative highlighted his role in international economic reporting and analysis, contributing to efforts to understand and address complex geopolitical challenges through an economic lens. His membership in the Labour Friends of Israel further underscored his interest in the region.

6.1. Academia and Research

After his electoral defeat, Balls transitioned into academic roles at prestigious institutions. He was appointed a Senior Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where he contributed to research and discussions at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government. Concurrently, he became a Visiting Professor at the Policy Institute at King's College London. In 2020, his academic engagement deepened when he was appointed Professor of Political Economy at King's College London, further solidifying his role as a thought leader in economic and political studies.

6.2. Broadcasting and Media Appearances

Balls has become a prominent figure in British broadcasting and media. In 2016, he participated in The Great Sport Relief Bake Off and gained significant public attention as a contestant on series 14 of the BBC's popular Strictly Come Dancing. Partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones, his enthusiastic "dad-dancing," particularly his performance of "Gangnam Style," became a cultural phenomenon, earning him a standing ovation and nominations, including the Must-See Moment Award at the 2017 Television BAFTAs. He survived until week 10 of the competition, captivating audiences with his unexpected dance prowess.

His culinary skills also came to the fore in 2021 when he was crowned the winner of BBC One's Celebrity Best Home Cook. Balls is currently a presenter for the ITV breakfast show Good Morning Britain. His media presence extends to game shows, such as his appearance on Would I Lie to You? in November 2017, where he humorously recounted negotiating the Home Office budget while crawling in a children's ball pit. In January 2024, he gained further publicity for accidentally kicking fellow Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid in the head during a segment on travel etiquette, for which he immediately apologized. In August 2024, his interviews on Good Morning Britain regarding the anti-immigrant riots in the UK drew over 8,200 complaints to Ofcom, particularly for his repeated interruptions and verbal clashes with MP Zarah Sultana and his interview with his wife, Yvette Cooper, in her role as Home Secretary.

6.3. Sports Administration

A lifelong supporter of Norwich City F.C., Ed Balls took on the role of Chairman for the football club in December 2015. His appointment was a significant move for the club, bringing a high-profile figure with a background in economics and public administration to its leadership. He served in this position until December 2018, overseeing various aspects of the club's operations.

6.4. Documentaries and Public Commentary

Balls has also leveraged his media platform to create and present insightful television documentaries exploring significant political and social themes. In 2018, he fronted a three-part BBC Two documentary titled Travels in Trumpland with Ed Balls, which examined the supporters of then-President Trump and the changing political landscape in the United States. As part of this series, he even participated in a professional wrestling match to explore the connection between Trump's persona and the sport. In 2020, he presented another three-part BBC Two documentary, Travels in Euroland with Ed Balls, which delved into anti-elite sentiment in Europe, the rise of right-wing politics, and the impact of austerity measures across the continent. In November 2021, he presented Ed Balls: Crisis In Care on BBC Two, a two-part documentary that investigated the pressing challenges faced by social care providers in England. His personal history was explored in the BBC television program Who Do You Think You Are? on 30 November 2021.

Beyond television, Balls has engaged in podcasting and public commentary. On 14 September 2023, he began co-hosting Political Currency, an economics-focused politics podcast, with former Chancellor George Osborne, offering their perspectives on current affairs. In September 2017, he was recognized for his influence on the left, ranking at Number 74 in 'The 100 Most Influential People on the Left' compiled by commentator Iain Dale. In May 2021, during "Lifelong Learning Week," Balls hosted a special event at the adult education provider City Lit, discussing the importance of lifelong learning and his memoir Appetite. He received a City Lit Lifetime Fellowship Award in recognition of his support and inspiration to the organization and its students.