"Divisive" is not the word I'd use to describe Ed Balls - it's a lot worse than that.

Sorry but to me he just comes across as a bully and a slimey snake oil salesman.

He puts on this "I'm working class me" persona and yet went to a very expensive private school and was caught dressed up as a Nazi. Wonder what he'd say of a Tory with that background.

He also has a habit of doing the big talk then doing nothing about it. Back on March 2008 he was on about what he was going to do...and clues as to what happened?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HYd9qibxm0

I just hope this horrible man, friend of McBride, never gets any further than the opposing bench as I fear for the state of the country otherwise.

In trying to say that he's a good communicator, Balls shows that he's not articulate enough to be Labour leader.

''you need someone who can...sniff...stand up in a leadership debate and, um, talk the language of...people'

'Neither DC, NC or GB ever talked in language, in...words, in policies'

Sorry Ed, you're not fluent enough, aside from question marks over your judgement and the accusation that you'd be divisive. That was a wooden, nervy and unconvincing interview. Don't make Gordon's mistake - accept that you're better off as Chancellor than PM. You don't have the communication or team-building skills.

It's worth listening to the Business podcast as this week it's not about business, but an assessment of Labour's record on the economy. Given Balls was Brown's closest ally, there's a lot of explaining to do. Odd that the interview didn't focus on the disastrous legacy of Brown's time as Chancellor.

The other massive failing of Balls is his bullyboy tendency, the spin and poison. Yet again the podcast didn't tackle this. Surely he's just not a team player, as the factionalism and egos are highlighted by Mandelson, it's surely time to leave behind those who spend too much time briefing against their supposed colleagues?

How come the interviews didn't touch on these two points?

The way you behaved when you supported Brown with bullies and cowards McBride, Whelan, Draper and co. coupled with your quite deplorable expenses claims, exacerbated by your part in the destruction of the British economy will, together, seal your fate - the halting of your political career.

I would be interested to hear how old you were when you first saw the inside of a State school too.

I suspect that you were the author of `Brown's Big Lie' - the notion that the Treasury is the `economy' and that increasing taxes, increases the size of the economy while of course the truth is the opposite.

Few will miss you, I suspect, and my guess is that you will voluntary leave British politics within a year.

He mentions every single other contender except Andy Burnham ... interesting ... the only possible Andy Burnham-related comment is when he sneers at the concept of left and right at the end.

The Ed Balls for Leader campaign has support from across the political spectrum. Left-wingers support him because they think he is one of them. People like Guido support it because they think Labour will be hopelessly divided and unelectable under his leadership.

My impression is that he is greatly disliked by almost everyone in the House of Commons: the fact that he struggled to get enough nominations from MPs tells its own story.

Balls has all the charm and attractiveness of a Gila Monster. Who else remembers his encounter with Gove on Newsnight about 2 weeks ago?
He simply could not resist a quick jibe: " *** was Eton educated and a member of the Bullingdon club..."
A bit rich from someone also privately educated and with a huge income!
Sorry to have to say that Mrs. Balls (aka Yvette Cooper) is far more articulate and able to handle Commons debates with skill.
He stands for leadership, not she, why should that be? A hint of 'me first' syndrome?
Go away, you horrible little man!

i think there is valid place for the likes of ed balls in british politics.one look at him and you know there is a cause fur good.

How do you know when Ed Balls is telling a lie? His lips move.

Seriously, what is up with the 'naughty boy' grin that he has when ever he is asked a tough question by an interviewer? You can just tell whenever he is telling a lie, which is a pretty bad habit for a politician.

I guess he got it from his mentor:
"I was not planning an election" <grin>
"Labour will invest where the Conservatives will cut" <grin>
"My support comes from both wings of his party" <grin>

BALLS BRITISH LABOUR
Balls is the face of the disillusioned rightwing British labour majority, who trustingly voted for Tory and Liberal leaders, massacring the plutocratic and warmongering leftwing New Labour leaders.

The man claimed a rememberance day wreath on his already considerable expenses last November . This speaks volumes about him as a man leaving aside he is virtually a clone of McBroown in dress sense , inarticulate , confused as to what he actually is or purports to be , overweight, and prepeared to do anything to be at the centre of decision making . He is not the way forward for this nation or the Labour party [what ever that is now called or is supposed to be] . He is also not of a working class background he came from a privilaged background in that he is no differant to the majority of Labour wannabees and hangers on .