Ed Balls announces leadership bid

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

UPDATE: Balls has just told Sky News:

“This is not just about the Labour Party, it’s got to be about the country. We did a lot of good things, but we didn’t get it all right. We need to speak the language of the public. It’s a chance for us to say ‘this is who we are, this is what makes us tick’, it’s going to be about who is going to be on the side of working people in this country.”

“Many of the thing we’ve done have been transformatory for our country. I’m not going to start turing round and start dissing our past. But sometimes in our policy areas and sometimes in our communications, we didn’t get it right.”

Ed Balls has just announced his intention to stand for the Labour leadership. Speaking in Gedling in Nottinghamshire, and flanked by some of his supporters in the PLP, Balls said:

“There were some things we didn’t get right. We didn’t always show we were listening. I don’t think we should just be talking to the party, I think we should talk to ordinary people around the country. I’ve come from a particular experience in the last 18 months in my constituency, where the opposition threw a lot of money at us. The only way we won was by getting out talking about the economy, GP opening hours, other issues.”

He continued:

“Leadership is about being strong, it’s about the values that drive you what I do, but it’s also about genuinely listening.

Responding to whether he will be seen as having been too close to Gordon Brown, Balls said:

“I’m very proud about my role in government over the last few years. But I don’t think people are going to see this through the old prism of Brown and Blair. People are going to look at the questions of whether we’re in touch with their concerns. I think we all need to do that – not just people putting themselves up {for the leadership], not just trade unions, but party members, everyone building from our base…so we can be ready whenever this coalition falls apart.”

Speaking about his relationship with the other declared candidates, he said:

“We’ve been friends and colleagues for a long period of time, and I’m very proud of those friendships. Whoever wins this, I will back them 110%. We do all have similarities in terms of some of the things we’ve done, but we also have differences. I was born in Norwich, grew up outside Nottingham, have been an MP in Yorkshire. The reality of life is that you’re forged by your values and friendships and parents.”

Speaking about how he will conduct his campaign, Balls added:

“I will say everything through my campaign, on the record – I wil be my spokesperson. I’l tell you how I see it and I’ll answer the questions. There’s always going to be gossip, but leadership candidates have got to say we’ll do it in an open way and consider unity first.”

Balls also said there may be a break in the contest in August, so that people can go on holiday:

“After the general election campaign and what our kids have to put up with, whatever happens we’re going to have a holiday in August.”

Ed Balls already has the declared support of at least 13 MPs in the House.

Balls has also given an interview to Paul Waugh, in which he says:

“Today is not a day for speeches or statements, it is a time for listening to the voters – particularly in seats where Labour lost or just hung on. My campaign will be about hearing what people have to say to us and having that conversation directly with them. Leadership is about the strength and ability to make the right decisions, it’s about being clear about your values and standing up for what you believe in. But it is also about listening and hearing before you act.”