Published: September 6th 2010 - at 1:59 pm

Boris says Ed Balls could be right on economy!


by Sunny Hundal    

The Telegraph today has an extraordinary column by London’s occasional Mayor Boris Johnson, who writes to essentially agree with Ed Balls.

First, the personal tribute:

Whatever you say about Spheroids, he not only has balls. He has ideas. He has conviction. He has a grasp of economic history, and as he showed in his Bloomberg lecture last week, he knows how to mount a compelling argument. Balls is like one of those Florida weather forecasters who has just seen something terrible on the long-range radar.

And then Boris goes on to admit that Ed Balls may actually be right on the economy:

It must be admitted that his words are finding an audience, even among those who might normally be counted as state-shrinking free-marketeers. There was Martin Wolf in last week’s Financial Times, warning that “Ed Balls’s critique is right”; and blow me down, there was a leading article in the normally pur et dur Thatcherite pages of the Sunday Times. “An awful thought,” ran the panicky headline, “but what if Ed Balls is right?”

If the Right-wing commentariat is getting nervous about the depth of the cuts, what about the Left of the Coalition? What about the Lib Dem rank and file?

He goes on to say that the consensus around “drastic and immediate” deficit reduction is “in danger of breaking down”.

He’s the first senior Tory to admit that.

He goes on to say he hopes and believes that Balls is wrong about the double dip recession. But doesn’t sound very convinced on either.


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About the author
Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
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Story Filed Under: Economy ,News


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Reader comments


1. Martin Coxall

He’s not saying Ed Balls is right. He’s saying “what if he’s right”?

He’s setting Balls up for an hilarious fall, just like the rest of the coalition, when the economic Armageddon for which he is furiously praying never materialises.

2. sally

1 Troll defending tory moron

Same as it always was.

3. Martin Coxall

@2:

Presumably, anyone prepared to entertain any of Balls’s brilliant ideas must be a moron by default.

4. Jane Watkinson

@ Martin

yes, that is why the title of the post is “ed balls COULD be right”

anyway, Balls will be right – and I think the fact that a Tory is even contemplating this shows how problematic the current coalition budget is!

5. Leon

Makes sense, he’s trying to spike Ken’s guns on this issue, he knows full well Ken’s cuts campaign will kill him in the polls in 18 months time…

6. Greg Lovell

Worth listening to Boris last night expressly warn of a double dip if the cuts are too deep. “Everyone knows this”, apparently!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00tmg3s/Pienaars_Politics_05_09_2010 at 43min 50secs

7. blanco

Yes, Sunny, please vote for Ed Balls.

All the right wingers want you to vote for Ed Balls.

Such as Old Holborn. Go on, please vote for Ed Balls.

It would really make their day.

(classic misdirection, I wonder if Sunny will fall for it like he’s fallen for this?)

8. Mr S. Pill

@blanco

Who would you have as Labour leader? In an ideal world, natch, not limited to the 5 atm.

9. Mr S. Pill

FWIW even if Balls is right on the economy that’s an argument for him being shadow chancellor, not necessarily leader of the LP. A leader needs more than a good head for figures (being liked by the country helps).

10. sally

“Worth listening to Boris last night expressly warn of a double dip if the cuts are too deep. “Everyone knows this”, apparently!”

Except, Call me Dave, Pip Squeak, and Cleggy.

Last of the Tory wine.

11. Mark M

Sunny, Boris does not write “to essentially agree with Ed Balls”, or at least he doesn’t in those quoted paragraphs. Boris isn’t saying that Ed Balls is right and the cuts are wrong.

All he’s doing is saying “what if?”. What if Coalition policy is wrong, and Balls is right? That’s perfectly legitimate. On issues such as this it would be wrong to dismiss opposition out of hand. Ed Balls speaks with a passion and certainty about these things, and it would be irresponsible to not pay any attention. Disagree with him by all means, but consider his argument nonetheless.

I await Ed Balls’ “What if the Tories are right and I’m wrong?” article with baited breath.

12. Chaise Guevara

Agreed Mark. Although it’s probably a tad unfair to expect Balls to reciprocate at this point. Boris isn’t in the middle of a leadership contest.

13. Mark M

@12 Chaise Guevara

I wouldn’t expect a reciprocation anyway. It’s very rare for any politician to even acknowledge that there’s a remote chance that they are wrong and their opponents are right. It’s just not the done thing.

Let’s say the free schools don’t work as intended – I don’t expect to see Gove coming out saying “whoops, sorry. I guess Labour was doing as good a job as we could expect”. Contriteness is not a quality held by many of today’s MPs.

14. Flowerpower

As Balls and LC continue to blather on about a double-dip recession, the UK’s manufacturers report RECORD output and burgeoning order books for the second consecutive quarter.


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
  1. Liberal Conspiracy

    Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  2. sunny hundal

    Whoa! Just read Boris Johnson's column today. Erm, he says he agrees with Ed Balls on the economy! http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  3. Fernando North

    Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V << I say balls to Balls! and Boris!

  4. Pete Phillips

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  5. Daniel Simms

    RT @sunny_hundal: Whoa! Just read Boris Johnson's column today. Erm, he says he agrees with Ed Balls on the economy! http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  6. Bob Johns

    RT @sunny_hundal: Whoa! Just read Boris Johnson's column today. Erm, he says he agrees with Ed Balls on the economy! http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  7. Ellie Gellard

    This is brilliant! RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  8. Adam Jennison

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  9. Sue Thomas

    RT @BevaniteEllie: This is brilliant! RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  10. Tam Chandler

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  11. Claire French

    RT @BevaniteEllie: This is brilliant! RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  12. Daniel Gray

    RT @sunny_hundal Whoa! Just read Boris Johnson's column today. Erm, he says he agrees with Ed Balls on the economy! http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  13. Jade Constable

    RT @BevaniteEllie: This is brilliant! RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  14. Nathan Trout

    Damning indictment on Ed Balls: http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  15. Chris Wiggin

    Boris shares Ed Balls' belief in fantasy economics http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  16. Boris Watch

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V < AKA #Boris4PM

  17. sunny hundal

    @LDNCalling http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/09/06/tories-doubt-themselves-as-boris-admits-ed-balls-could-be-right-on-economy/

  18. Jason

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V << Two deficit deniers. Shame.

  19. Duncan Stott

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V | @Grabcocque's comment is right

  20. diana smith

    RT @sunny_hundal: @LDNCalling http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/09/06/tories-doubt-themselves-as-boris-admits-ed-balls-could-be-right-on-economy/

  21. Chris Terry

    @TheSpiderplant http://liberalconspiracy.org/2010/09/06/tories-doubt-themselves-as-boris-admits-ed-balls-could-be-right-on-economy/

  22. R Gordon

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V via @sunny_hundal

  23. Jane Watkinson

    Tories doubt plans; Boris says Ed Balls could be right | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/UuG43cu via @libcon #fb

  24. Michael

    RT @sunny_hundal: Whoa! Just read Boris Johnson's column today. Erm, he says he agrees with Ed Balls on the economy! http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  25. Ceri Williams

    Boris Johnson endorsing Ed Balls, that's the #blindleadingtheblind

    http://bit.ly/a0anVJ

  26. jimthehedgehog

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  27. Richard Johnson

    RT @sunny_hundal: Whoa! Just read Boris Johnson's column today. Erm, he says he agrees with Ed Balls on the economy! http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  28. John O'Shea

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V – Cameron should worry abt this #ukpolitics

  29. Kate B

    Might end it all now. Boris Johnson is the Conservative party's best mathematician: http://bit.ly/aEVtk7. Take me now, Lord.

  30. James Evershed

    RT @hangbitch: Might end it all now. Boris Johnson is the Conservative party's best mathematician: http://bit.ly/aEVtk7. Take me now, Lord.

  31. Jack Evans

    2nd pref justified. RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  32. Faraz Shams

    RT @BevaniteEllie: This is brilliant! RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  33. paulstpancras

    RT @politicalhackuk: RT @libcon: Tories doubt as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V – Cameron should worry

  34. Damien Clarkson

    Tories doubt plans; Boris says Ed Balls could be right | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/wjxWKaq via @libcon

  35. the credo

    Balls right on economy? http://bit.ly/bbKe3V You will READ THIS #ukpolitics

  36. L Dauphin

    RT @anpa2001: RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V via @sunny_hundal

  37. Paul Cotterill

    http://bit.ly/aEVtk7 @edballsmp may get momentum from BoJo comments, but he needs to move one step further & politicise his argument

  38. Paul Perrin

    How socialist have the conservatives become? Well some are agreeing with Ed Balls! http://bit.ly/bbKe3V (via @thecredo)

  39. newleader

    http://www.edballs.tk RT @pperrin How socialist have the conservatives become? Well some are agreeing with Ed Balls! http://bit.ly/bbKe3V (vi…

  40. newleader

    http://www.edballs.tk RT @BickerRecord http://bit.ly/aEVtk7 @edballsmp may get momentum from BoJo comments, but he needs to move one step fur…

  41. Ben Surtees

    Ignores Labour's own divisions overs the deficit RT @libcon: Tory doubt as Boris admits Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  42. Simone Webb

    RT @anpa2001: RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V via @sunny_hundal

  43. Pam Smith

    Bozza says Ed Balls could be right about cuts – http://bit.ly/bbKe3V RT@libcon
    via @pmphillips

  44. Andrew Gwynne

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V via @sunny_hundal

  45. Mark Edward Lewis

    RT @GwynneMP: RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V via @sunny_hundal

  46. mark wright

    RT @sunny_hundal: Whoa! Just read Boris Johnson's column today. Erm, he says he agrees with Ed Balls on the economy! http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  47. Richard Lane

    Boris says Ed Balls could be right on economy http://t.co/bSJUszk via @libcon

  48. Darren Burgoyne

    Boris says Ed Balls could be right on economy! | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/99wUNPj via @libcon

  49. mark wright

    is glad to hear that boris johnson has seen sense and thinks Ed balls may be right on the econemy http://is.gd/eXv5C

  50. Beth Carley

    RT @FireballDarren: Boris says Ed Balls could be right on economy! | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/99wUNPj via @libcon

  51. Adam Bienkov

    Boris positions himself against his own government's cuts: http://bit.ly/bbKe3V But what's he actually done? http://bit.ly/9z3E9C

  52. paulstpancras

    Boris says Ed Balls could be right on economy! http://bit.ly/9sCR4G

  53. paulstpancras

    RT @AdamBienkov: Boris positions himself against his own government's cuts: http://bit.ly/bbKe3V But what's he actua… http://bit.ly/9z3E9C

  54. Chris Horner

    RT @sunny_hundal: Whoa! Just read Boris Johnson's column today. Erm, he says he agrees with Ed Balls on the economy! http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  55. Andy Sutherland

    RT @AdamBienkov: Boris positions himself against his own government's cuts: http://bit.ly/bbKe3V But what's he actually done? http://bit …

  56. oy_vey_baby

    RT @BevaniteEllie: This is brilliant! RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  57. SMS PolicyWatch

    RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V

  58. Rachel Podmore

    RT @GwynneMP: RT @libcon: Tories doubt themselves as Boris admits Ed Balls could be right on economy http://bit.ly/bbKe3V via @sunny_hundal





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