A line in the sand There comes a time in electoral politics when you draw a line in the sand.  Today is one such day. So today I move on, from somewhat tempered, cynical-as-usual support of Ed Balls for the labour leadership, to full-on, ‘vote for him, he’s great!’ support. This reflects a general trend in healthy party politics.  Argue it out as much as you want, but when it comes to it, be clear about whom you support, and why.   Anyone mad enough to go back through my old posts in 2009-May 2010 will see that trend – a move from a critique of New Labour and its ways towards unswerving support for Labour in the general election.  Some people will see that as hypocrisy; I see it as priorities.  It’s the same with my local politics.  Sure, I have...

“It has been suggested that Labour ask South East Water for a test of Surrey’s water supply to discover the reason why so many of its MPs are promoting dangerous reactionary, off the wall, ideas,” Murray Rowlands, the Chair of Labour in Surrey says. “If we examine what they are saying the result is rather scary,” Mr Rowlands adds. Runnymede and Chertsy – Philip Hammond MP. Transport Minister Millionaire City businessman Hammond has withdrawn the Government grant for speed cameras. With severe cuts in local government spending many councils will be unable to pay for them in their area. Only petrol heads and Jeremy Clarkson are likely to benefit as dangerous speeding goes unchecked putting us all at risk. Hammond is about to announce cuts in the Government’s...

A phrase coined by John Redwood which I shall be using more often to describe the deficit loonies, and especially Ed Balls, who has expunged all my recent tweets mentioning him (I spent yesterday during a computer crash of our co's systems trolling his supporters on twitter).Anyway, Keynes believed that public spending could stimulate an economy, but only if a surplus was run during the boom. Of course that describes neither the USA nor the UK during this recession, so any 'stimulus' from massive deficits is offset by greater costs of borrowing, inflation, and the hoarding of capital against future tax rises. The deficit loonies should not be called 'Keynsians'; to do so is to damage the legacy of a great economist. The money quote from John Redwood: In the UK Mr Ed Balls has...

The 2010 edition of the Total Politics Guide to UK Political Blogging will be published in November. We've been putting together a list of Top Political Tweeters. It may not be a perfect guide, but the number of followers someone has is a good indication of popularity, if not necessarily influence. Here's a list of fifty or so twitterers, each of whom has in excess of 5,000 followers. Who are we missing?Boris Johnson 92472Nick Clegg 48961Conservatives 41223Alastair Campbell 40677David Miliband 31219John Prescott 30461Laura Kuenssberg 28112Krishnan Guru-Murthy 24873BBC Politics 24742LibDems 23799UK Parliament 22631Ed Miliband 21786Tory Radio 21421Tweetminster 21019William Hague 20804Nick Robinson 18372BBC Newsnight 16019Guido Fawkes 15165Evan Davis 14744Ed Balls MP 13795New Statesman...

Ed Miliband's campaign have just press released that they have raised £39k in small donations and that seven extra MPs have signed up to Ed's campaign:Martin Caton MP (did not nominate any candidate)Cathy Jamieson MSP, MP (nominated Burnham)Chi Onwurah MP (nominated Abbott)Linda Riordan MP (nominated Abbott)Gavin Shuker MP (nominated Abbott)Jon Trickett MP (nominated Abbott)Joan Walley MP (nominated Burnham)I think this is what is known in the trade as momentum.Given John Mann's switch from Ed to David after the Bassetlaw primary, the running totals in the PLP/EPLP bit of the electoral college are:David Miliband - 92 MPs + 6 MEPs - 12.08% of electoral collegeEd Miliband - 69 MPs + 6 MEPs - 9.25% of electoral collegeEd Balls - 34 MPs - 4.19% of electoral collegeAndy Burnham - 29 MPs + 1...

Leaked official document questions future of schools admissions codeMichael Gove is accused today of planning to let schools select pupils after a leaked government document questioned the future of the admissions code that stops schools favouring children they believe are more likely to produce better results.Amid growing unease among Liberal Democrats at the government's plans to rush through legislation establishing a new generation of academy schools, Ed Balls warned tonight of a "full scale assault" on comprehensive education.The shadow schools secretary spoke out after the Guardian obtained a leaked government document which appeared to suggest the admissions code could be dropped as part of a drive to allow academies to run more efficiently. The school admissions code is designed...

I couldn’t put my finger on it at first, but there was something familiar about the way Vernon Coaker moseyed on over to the Government front bench and started chatting with his political opponents this week.The Gedling MP had just been at the opposition despatch box, arguing with coalition ministers over the Government’s proposed Academies Bill.It realised that the scene reminded me of something that happened at an election hustings back in May when Coaker as a sitting MP was faced with having to fend off a two-pronged attack from the Lib Dem and Tory candidates.Before the debate Coaker went and sat next to the Lib Dem and started making small talk with her, building a sort of anti-Tory camaraderie.By the time the debate started they were both all smiles – that was in stark...

Click on image to enlargeI know Ed is desperate for Parliamentary suuport for his leadership camapign, but I am surprised he is now courting Tory MP Andrew Griffiths. He received an email today from Balls campaign oppo Sharon Hodgson MP. It reads...Hi All,Following yesterday’s Save Our Schools successful rally, Vernon and I are quite keen to build on the momentum of Ed's campaign and to do so we would like to catch up with all of you. Ed is hosting drinks in his office (Norman Shaw South, Rm 102) today from 20:30hrs. Please come along for a catch up and forward look discussion (and a drink). Kind regards SharonGriffiths is clearly touched. He told me: "It's all very flattering, and I am delighted to say I that Ed Balls is definitely the man I want to lead the Labour Party. That should...

MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington stirs things up with jibe at her opponentsSo far the Labour leadership contest has been a relatively comradely affair. The five candidates have generally been quite polite about each other. But now, Diane Abbott has decided to stir things up. In an interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, she's made some scathing comments about her rivals – Ed Balls in particular.She dismissed Balls, David Miliband, Ed Miliband and Andy Burnham as "geeky".We're not going to be able to engage with society and, particularly, engage young people in politics, if they see the political class as a caste apart, a strange sort of geeky young men in suits.She said it was amazing how the four were now disowning the decisions that they supported when they were in...

Even though she was utterly wrong, the strong performance of former Communities Secretary Hazel Blears on Newsnight tonight actually left me wondering if she is angling for a Shadow Cabinet comeback - which leads to the question of what the Labour frontbench will look like after the new leader is elected.One thing is for certain - if Diane Abbot doesn't win (!) she won't serve the new leader. But it does ask the question about what you do with the other failed leadership candidates; the Milibands, Andy Burnham or Ed Balls?Hazel is one of a number of ministers who quit under Brown who could be brought back into action. What about Caroline Flint - is she ready for the Shadow Cabinet?There is a question about some of the outgoing cabinet and if they would either want to serve or if a new...

Labour leader contender claims he was not part of a 2006 coup but is overheard saying BBC interview is a 'waste of time'Ed Balls, a Labour leadership contender and a close ally of Gordon Brown, today rejected suggestions that he took part in an "insurgency" against Tony Blair and insisted the differences between the two men amounted only to "creative tensions".In a fractious interview on the BBC, he dismissed as "total, absolute nonsense" any idea that he had been party to a coup against Blair in 2006, which led to him announcing his intention to quit the following year.Pressed on reports of the endless attempts by Brown's team to bring down Blair and take over, Balls sought to frame the well-documented differences between No 10 and No 11 Downing Street as "creative tensions" which he...

Schools urgently need new buildings, MPs from all sides tell education secretary who cancelled rebuilding workMPs from across the political spectrum rounded on the education secretary, Michael Gove, today for scrapping 700 school rebuilding projects, to save money.Gove said the £55bn Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, which he cancelled last week, was "overly bureaucratic and inefficient".But MPs told him some of the schools were in urgent need of new buildings. Nottinghamshire pupils, at the Newark Orchard school for children with special needs, are forced to hold buckets when it rains because the building leaks so badly, Patrick Mercer, the school's local Tory MP, told Gove at education questions in the Commons.Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley in West Yorkshire,...

One of the great things about EyeSpy.MP (or the “phantom blogger” as Michael White mistakenly calls it) is that it reveals the truth of MPs behaviour.  Next time an MP whines about being poorly paid for all those late night sittings ask him what really happens during those sessions.  Do they scrupulously scrutinise legislation and make speeches of great oratory? No they get drunk and gossip. Last night the PLP was getting pissed and occasionally wandering into the lobbies to vote. Here are a selection of EyeSpy.MP tweets from last night: 4 out of 5 Lab leadership contenders on the terrace taking advantage of rare late night sitting to be matey (or trying to be in case of D & E Miliband). Last night: Balls, Burnham and Ed Miliband in the Kremlin buying pints for...

Ed Balls was interviewed by the Mirror today. Inn the interview he makes this ludicrous claim...I started studying it [the economy] in 1983 when Thatcherism was at its peak - and I realised immediately that I wanted to show you could run an economy in a way which delivered social justice. All through my university days and my career I've been driven by the desire to prove that Labour could run the economy well. We now hear that unemployment is heading back to three million under the Tories. If anything makes me want to lead our party it's the chance to do something about it.All well and good, except that Mr Balls's memory is clear at odds with reality. Because as is now public knowledge, at university he was a member of the Oxford University Conservative Association...This bombshell news,...

I thought I'd take a look at the nominations for Leader made by the PLP to see if it threw up any regional patterns. Obviously the Abbott figures carry the health warning that some of them were "tactical" nominations to get her on the ballot who won't vote for her.London: Ed M 11, Abbott 10, David M 10, Burnham 3, Balls 2South outside London: Abbott 3, Ed M 3, Balls 2, David M 1, Burnham 0East Midlands: Ed M 6, David M 4, Abbott 2, Balls 2, Burnham 0West Midlands: Balls 8, David M 6, Ed M 4, Burnham 3, Abbott 0Yorkshire & Humberside: David M 8, Burnham 7, Balls 6, Abbott 5, Ed M 5North West: David M 15, Burnham 13, Ed M 8, Balls 4, Abbott 4North East: David M 10, Balls 5, Ed M 5, Abbott 3, Burnham 1Scotland: David M 18, Ed M 11, Burnham 5, Abbott 3, Balls 1Wales: Ed M 10, David M 9,...

This came to me via a Labour MP who assures me it is 100% true. I've tried to get hold of Labour MP Wayne David to verify it but he's not been available. The thing is, even if it weren't true, the fact that you could imagine it to be true illustrates why Diane Abbott has a problem. The MP who told me the tale said: "It illustrates perfectly why I wouldn't support Diane Abbott even if she were the only candidate standing." Mind you, if it were between her an Ed Balls, he might have a problem...Wayne David found himself last week in a lift in Portcullis House with Diane Abbott. There was a short silence until...Wayne: So aren't you going to lobby me, then?Diane: How long have you been an MP?Wayne: Nine years.Diane: And have I ever spoken to you in that time?Wayne: No.Diane: So why would I...

• Favourite's backing helps leftwinger reach target• Five candidates on ballot ahead of summer hustingsWith help from unlikely sources, Diane Abbott today made it on to the ballot to contest the Labour leadership, where the backbencher – admittedly Cambridge educated herself – will take on four white, male Oxbridge educated ex-cabinet ministers who were all special advisers before becoming MPs.David Miliband, one of the contenders, transferred his nomination to Abbott, the leftwing MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, this morning, 24 hours after acting Labour leader Harriet Harman did the same in an attempt to get a woman on to the ballot. Abbott will take on Miliband, his brother Ed, the former schools secretary Ed Balls, and the former culture secretary Andy Burnham, the...

Shadow education minister writes in the Observer that it was a mistake for Labour not to have restricted immigration from eastern EuropeThe wages of British workers were forced down because the Labour government failed to restrict immigration from eastern Europe, Ed Balls claims today. In a provocative article in the Observer, the Labour leadership hopeful says the party will rebuild trust only if it admits "what we got wrong"."There have been real economic gains from the arrival of young, committed and hard-working migrants from eastern Europe over the past six years," he writes. "But there has also been a direct impact on the wages, terms and conditions of too many people across our country – in communities ill-prepared to deal with the reality of globalisation, including the one I...

Lib Dem Voice has been conducting a survey this week of party members registered on our members’ forum asking them for their views of the coalition, Labour leadership and the party’s general election result. Over 400 have responded, and here’s part two of what you’ve told us … LDV asked: Putting aside your Lib Dem allegiance who do you think would make the best Labour leader? Here’s what you said: 37% – Ed Miliband 25% – Diane Abbott 17% – David Miliband 9% – Andy Burnham 8% – John McDonnell 3% – Ed Balls (Excluding Don’t know / No opinion = 24%) Though David leads many of the polls still, it’s brother Ed who has attracted most of the early smart money, being just as smart but a little less ‘wonkish’. More...

Ed Miliband - 39 MP nominations (6 over requirement)David Miliband - 36 (3 over)Ed Balls - 7Andy Burnham - 3Diane Abbott - 0John McDonnell -...

The first batch of leadership nominations have been posted on the Labour website. I believe this will be updated twice a day. http://www2.labour.org.uk/leadership-2010Ed Miliband is so far the only validly nominated candidate:Ed Miliband: 35 MP nominationsDavid Miliband: 19Ed Balls: 4Andy Burnham: 1Diane Abbott: 0John McDonnell:...

David Miliband says Iraq war no longer 'divisive' as Labour rivals Ed Balls and Ed Miliband distance themselves from warDavid Miliband has attempted to slap down his leading rivals for the Labour party leadership, calling on them not to make the Iraq war an issue in the campaign.The former foreign secretary, who is thought to be the front runner in the contest to succeed Gordon Brown, said the invasion of 2003 had been a divisive issue within the party but it was now "time to move on".His comments came after two of his rivals – his younger brother Ed Miliband, the former energy secretary, and the former children's secretary, Ed Balls – sought to distance themselves from the conflict.Balls told the Telegraph the war had been a "mistake" for which Britain had paid a heavy price, while...

On this blog yesterday I posted an inaccurate and offensive blog article about Ed Balls MP.In it, I suggested that he would make a perfect Labour Leader due to a number of alleged unsavoury qualities which, I wrote, made him the optimal first choice for those who wished the Labour Party ill.I now realise, on mature reflection, that what I published was wrong and potentially defamatory, and I wish to retract the article in question and apologise unreservedly to Mr Balls and his wife Yvette...

Former schools secretary and leftwinger join Miliband brothers in race to succeed Gordon Brown, as Andy Burnham prepares to standEd Balls today became the third former cabinet minister to throw his hat into the ring for the Labour leadership.Leftwinger John McDonnell also declared his candidacy today, joining the former schools secretary and David and Ed Miliband in the contest to succeed Gordon Brown.Tomorrow, the former health secretary Andy Burnham is expected to declare his intention to stand.Launching his campaign, Balls said: "I'm going to put my name in for the Labour party leadership. I think it's really important we don't just talk to ourselves, we've got to hear what the country's got to say."He added: "I think we've got to listen first, hear what the public say. That is what's...

Rolling coverage as two more contenders officially enter the race to become the next Labour leader3.51pm: How do the various candidates fare in the polls? Here are some figures.Last week LabourList organised a poll of readers. More than 1,000 people took part. They weren't all Labour members, and some LabourList readers probably aren't even party supporters, but here are the figures, for what they're worth.David Miliband: 27.7%Ed Miliband: 16%Ed Balls: 7.2%John McDonnell: 6.7%Andy Burnham: 2.9%But among those readers who said they were union members, the contest was tighter.David Miliband: 20.8%Ed Miliband: 18.1%Ed Balls: 7.8%At the weekend the Sunday Times published the results of a YouGov poll on the Labour leadership (pdf). This was a proper poll, rather than a self-selecting poll, but...

1. Opposition Studies Forum says it's time to reform the voting in Speaker elections.2. Modern Survival Blog suggests you start hoarding some tins.3. Geraldine Dreadful MP writes to Dan Hannan.4. Richard Willis on the design of the new Routemaster buses.5. Revolts.co.uk is closing down. Boo hoo.6. Paul Waugh spots a rule change for new MPs courtesy of Speaker Bercow.7. Cicero's Songs remains unimpressed by the brothers Miliband.8. Pink News reports that Ed Balls is apparently the most gay friendly of the Labour leadership candidates. Such a pity then that he is so dog ugly. Saucer of milk?9. Luke Akehurst wants your vote, if you happen to be a Labour Party member.10. Harry Barnes on Marx and the Milibands.11. Guido on the Labour MP who may not have her priorities right.12. Charles...

Lobbydog understands that Ed Balls will launch his leadership campaign tomorrow.I was wondering what was taking him so long.Before I’d heard the most recent whispers about tomorrow’s launch, several people had been enthusiastically pledging support to his cause.They included former minister Chris Leslie – the man who ran Gordon Brown’s campaign to be Labour leader.Leslie, former MP for Shipley, was re-elected to Parliament as the MP for Nottingham East on May 6.He told me: “The reason why Ed Balls has the edge is that I think he has a better sense, a finger on the pulse if you like, of what’s going on in the country at large.”“There are several things you need to be a leader – one is to be media savvy, another is that you need to be able to perform in the Commons.“But...

The former schools secretary, Ed Balls, will announce his candidacy as party goes for long contestEd Balls will announce tomorrow that he will join the race to replace Gordon Brown as Labour opted for a marathon timetable to elect a new leader.The party's ruling executive committee responded to calls for a cathartic campaign by laying out a four-month contest in which the leadership candidates will fight through the summer.It decided that the new leader will be announced on the first Saturday of the party's annual conference in September.The field will swell to include Balls, the former schools secretary who will launch his bid at a visit two marginal constituencies in the Midlands. At the general election the party lost one of the seats and gained the other.Balls is backed initially by...

That seems to be the implication of Labour’s education secretary’s interview in the New Statesman, where he says: For Balls, defeating the Tories is the top priority. Given this, what is his advice to Lib Dem supporters in the 100 or so Tory-Labour marginals? “I urge Lib Dem voters to bite their lip and back us.” But what about Labour supporters in Tory-Lib Dem marginals? “I always want the Labour candidate to win, but I recognise there’s an issue in places like North Norfolk, where my family live, where Norman Lamb [the Lib Dem candidate and sitting MP] is fighting the Tories, who are in second place. And I want to keep the Tories out.” A nod’s as good as a wink, and all that. Clearly Ed Balls is signalling his tacit approval for tactical...

Ed Balls has a notional majority of 9,000 in his new created Morley & Outwood seat. That should be taken with a pinch of salt, it is a new seat created after boundary changes, in local council elections over the last 2 years Labour has polled badly, even coming fourth on occasion. With Labour nationally polling in third place the swing against Labour means Balls’ notional lead is likely to be negligible, his Tory opponent Antony Calvert is fighting an energetic campaign, he’s raised money online for his campaign and he has caught the imagination of many with his “Balls Moment” advert. George Osborne has decided that even though Morley and Outwood wasn’t even on the Tory’s 200 target seats list, that it is now a priority.  In an email to hundreds...