Balls tackles quit rumours head on

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Ed Balls has this afternoon sought to dispel rumours that he is dropping out of the leadership race, by tackling the whsipers head on in a three pronged attack. Writing on his blog, in a post called “Why I’m fighting on”, Ed said:

“I’ve never been a front runner in this campaign, I did not have the early organisation of some other candidates and I am behind on formal CLP and union endorsements. But the votes which count won’t be cast until September. The Labour Leadership will be decided by millions of individual members of the party, the unions and socialist societies all making their own decisions – many of whom have not yet made up their minds”

“From the beginning I was fearful that the Labour leadership election would be a time when our party turn inwards, talked to ourselves, and only debated competing visions, principles and personalities.”

“But I believe it’s vital too that we show that Labour can take the argument to the coalition on values and policy and win the argument that there is an alternative to what they are proposing.”

“I am fighting to win this leadership contest to continue these campaigns, to give a voice to our communities and constituents and to show that as leader I would be best placed to set out an alternative plan for jobs and social justice for our country.”

“I joined this contest because I believed this was a fight worth fighting for the future of our party and our country. I still do.”

Ed also laid out these arguments in an email to supporters before being interviewed for The World this Weekend.

Speaking to Radio 4, Ed Balls said:

“I’m not denying that I’m behind”, but countered, “Everyone knows I don’t give up easily.”