Ed Balls
The Diplomat
People, composure and the difficult conversation held well.
Ed Balls is a seasoned political figure with a focus on economic policy and social justice. This interview highlights his ability to navigate complex issues and build consensus around the need for thoughtful responses to globalization's impacts.
“Do like to sing Saturday Boy. I remember the first time I met her, that September evening was clear and fresh, the ways she walked and laughed at my jokes and the way she rubbed herself up against the edge of my desk.”
“And things I'd never, I mean, I've changed pads lots and lots of times. I've taken people to the toilet lots of times. I've washed people, I've shaved somebody. Things I'd never done in my life, but I think what it does is the viewer comes in with me and they see what I see.”
“Look, as Yvette said to me at the time, the gut pictures struck a chord with middle-aged men and their wives across the country. So that's connection, that's authenticity. And then the terrible Rob Merrick moment, what can I say, as I was steadying myself to shoot, he threw his eye at my elbow. What was he doing? I don't know.”
“You've been in government for a long time is really difficult because you know what you're missing and you feel those frustrations. But I think when I was shadow chancellor, it was a time to reassess and think about the past, but also what was important in my life, the things I was doing.”
Political Thinking with Nick Robinson — 09/04/2017
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