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Ed Balls rattles No10, saying: I’d love to be Chancellor
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor26 Mar 2009
The Tories seized on fresh tensions between Downing Street and the Treasury today after Ed Balls revealed he would “love” to be Chancellor.
The Schools Secretary, a close friend and ally of Gordon Brown, was touted a possible replacement for Alistair Darling last summer.
Mr Balls's confirmation that he is interested in the job follows days of speculation that Mr Darling has joined forces with Bank of England Governor Mervyn King to oppose a further spending splurge in the Budget next month.
The Treasury insists there is no split with the Prime Minister over a new fiscal stimulus, but the Chancellor appeared to have won a major victory yesterday when Mr Brown admitted fresh spending may not be needed.
In an unusual move, Mr Darling met the Governor along with City minister Lord Myners in his Commons office last night for talks. Officials stressed that although the trio normally met in the Treasury, it was routine.
Mr Darling today played down claims of a government rift over the recession as the Tories declared Mr King had “cut up his credit card”. Mr Darling stressed there was no “difference” between him and Mr King and claimed they were both keen to do “whatever is necessary” to help the UK cope with the downturn.
But when challenged by the Tories, Mr Darling refused to say whether he agreed with the Governor's warning this week that Britain was not ready for a second boost in the Budget. The Chancellor cast further doubt over the chances of a G20 agreement on a major new “fiscal stimulus”, pointing out that no country would arrive in London next week wanting to tear up its own budgetary plans to get a global deal.
Mr Balls used an interview with today's New Statesman to lavish praise on Mr Darling for his handling of the Treasury brief. But he admitted he would want the Chancellor's job. “Would I like to be Chancellor at some point in the future? Of course I would. I'd love it.”
Mr Balls was careful, however, to stress that his job in charge of education and schools was his priority at the moment. “From my point of view that's a job half done so I don't want to change,” he said.
“I have worked with Alistair Darling since 1993 and I think history will judge him to be a very far-sighted and brave Chancellor. He and Gordon have been a great team along with Peter [Mandelson].”
When asked about the jockeying to replace Mr Brown, he said: “I'm not going to say I don't want to be leader of the Labour Party, that would be a silly thing to say.”
Shadow Chancellor George Osborne today claimed there was now a serious “crisis of confidence” at the heart of the Government following Mr King's warning that debt was so high further tax cuts and spending rises were not possible.
Mr Osborne seized on Mr Darling's refusal to say whether he had “full confidence” in the Governor.
Mr Osborne said: “A dire situation for the Government just got worse. When a Chancellor refuses to express confidence in the Governor of the Bank of England, or agree with statements he makes, we have reached a crisis of confidence in the Government's ability to lead us into a recovery.”
Reader views (17)
Labour sets itself a very low standard, promoting Balls they will certainly fail to achieve it.
- Wills, Soton, 27/03/2009 07:01
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Why, are you cocking something up in your present department again Balls?
'No time for a novice', son.
- Dave, Cumbria, 26/03/2009 18:38
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He and his wife have been promoted above their abilities. He is neither a clear thinker nor good communicator. What has he done to warrant becoming Chancellor other than being Brown's friend and confidante? Poor old Darling inherited a dreadful mess from his predecessor and now it looks as though he is about to be scapegoated.
- M D, cardiff UK, 26/03/2009 17:05
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The clown will get a change next year.
- Alex., brighton, 26/03/2009 17:03
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Ed Balls : "I’d love to be Chancellor"- Have I missed something? Is Ed Ballsup defecting to the Tories? Let's face it; there ain't going to be another NuLiebour chancellor anytime soon!
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 26/03/2009 17:03
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With Ed Balls as Chancellor we could all lock up and throw the keys away.
- Tony Clayton, Suffolk UK, 26/03/2009 14:23
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He was Brown's advisor. Another cock-up in the making or should that be b*lls-up?
- Roger, Winchester, Hampshire, England, 26/03/2009 14:12
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I would "love" him not to.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 26/03/2009 14:05
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What are his qualifications? A history degree like Crash Gordon?
- Bruce, London, 26/03/2009 14:01
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Worth it just for the "Chancellor Balls" headlines.
- Edgar, London UK, 26/03/2009 12:28
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I would love him, his wife and the rest of the Labour Party to go - I only hope the other lot would do better
- Jeremy E, London, 26/03/2009 12:11
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Unfortunately he probably will be, this government has a civil service mentality - if they're rubbish at their current job then promote them upwards so we don't have to deal with them.
- Bob, Cheam, 26/03/2009 11:46
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Good idea, Ed. Then we will be able to enjoy reading all the inevitable headlines about what a "Balls Up" you have made of the economy.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 26/03/2009 11:42
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He is certainly well qualified for the position having proved himself as an excellent Schools Minister with his 100% Sadim touch. After all, the complete mess that Milliband made of Education has not held back his glittering career.
- Gazza, london, england, 26/03/2009 11:01
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Why not? The current one and his predecessor have hardly been a success (Dumb and Dumber). When he fails at the job with more lefty tax and spend, who then? Homer Simpson? DOH!
- Scallywag, Shenzhen, PR China, 26/03/2009 10:52
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Here we go again, musical chairs time. To hell with the economy, education, law and order of the country, as long as you, your 'other half' and the rest of the cabinet ministers have their greedy fingers in the POT (jar too small!).
- K Lee, Cheshunt, UK, 26/03/2009 10:37
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Why would he not be the dreadful disaster he has been in education, as chancellor. He is viewed by many as the weakest performer in cabinet. He fiddles his expenses too and if he had any brainpower, we would never have nailed him.
- David Lewis, Witney UK, 26/03/2009 10:07
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