Balls: We must rebuild by reconnecting in the communities we serve

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

Writing in today’s Tribune Magazine, Ed Balls says:

“It’s so important we seize this chance to renew the Labour Party from the bottom up. Political parties neglect their base at their peril: in our early years in office there were endless stories that we were considering ending the historic trade union link and at times we seemed to denigrate the vital role of local government and councillors. So to win again we must use this leadership election to build and strengthen our own new coalition, reconnecting with the communities we serve and people who supported us in 1997, 2001 and 2005.”

In making his pitch for the leadership, Balls says:

“Above all we need a leader who knows what they stand for, is rooted in the values of the Labour, co-op and trade union movements, and who understands that being a tough opposition, putting together a credible and radical programme for government and rooting our politics in the communities we serve are the three vital ingredients we need to win again.”

Ed Balls was also in Swindon yesterday, with his campaign coordinator Anne Snelgrove. Balls said:

“This is the kind of seat we must win back if we’re to get back into power. That’s why I think the right way to do this leadership election is to come and hear what people are telling us on banks, on immigration, on tuition fees – the kind of issues that are coming up on the doorstep.”

Watch it here: