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Why do people hate Ed Balls?

Not saying I have any strong feelings either way regarding Ed Balls, but I find it a bit odd that so many sections of the media seem to try to paint him as the hate-figure of the current Labour government. Other than the fact his name is Balls, and he has that odd wide-eyed stare when he's talking, I don't see any reason why he is so reviled.

I wonder if its a case of the media latching onto a perfectly capable and highly intelligent politician, and setting out to destroy their career - ie the exact thing they did with William Hague when he was leader of the Conservative Party.

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Reply 1

crazygirl4521

I am a labour man, and dislike him. He is a careerist and a poor public speaker. To add to this, he was Browns lapdog, look what Brown has done to labour.

Reply 2

PS Reviewer

I just find his name makes me snicker :o:

Reply 3

MagicNMedicine

maze.e

he was Browns lapdog,

Thats probably what its about actually. He has always been Browns man, and the media probably disliked the idea of him being on a golden pathway to the Chancellorship.

Funnily enough, Alastair Darling's stock in the media has seemed to rise over the past couple of years. When the recession started they were painting him as a lightweight but he seems to have gained respect.

Reply 4

TheCrackInTime

He's a puppet of the trade unions

Reply 5

Jfranny

he's corrupt.

Reply 6

PS Reviewer

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7328556.stm
:biggrin:

Reply 7

The G Doctor

he made a fantastic victory speech last night.

Reply 8

researchcat

I dislike the way he operates sometimes. Good ideas (sometimes) but he leaves all the impossible details for others to sort out.

For example the parents charter idea saying that parents could sue the school if they thought their child wasn't being properly educated or getting the support they needed.

A fantastic idea; no I’m not being sarcastic, I really thought it was a good proposition

-except that it might enable some (not all) pushy parents to blame the school and teachers for a child’s failings, rather than a lack of parental guidance.

-except for the fact that no extra money or support would be given to schools to see that these (well intentioned) standards could be met.

When he doesn't do stuff like that I have no problem with him.

Reply 9

easter_bunny

It might just be me, but he comes across as really really thick.

I think that's what distinguishes him from some other crap politicians, in that if you're talking rubbish but doing it eloquently you're probably going to come off better.

Reply 10

Alphanumeric1927

Ha Ha Balls. I have no real opinion of him either way.

Reply 11

Aj12

aaran-j

He's a puppet of the trade unions

Thats the whole Labour party.

Reply 12

usainlightning

He dressed up in Nazi costumes while at oxford.

Reply 13

JoshJGordon

Its mostly a matter of personality. He never comes off well on TV.

He is far too closely linked to Gordon Brown, and all of the rumours about Balls being the one organising the Brown revolt against Blair will have turned a lot of people off him.

My favourite politicians come from all parties and they tend to be the less political ones. from Labour compare David Milliband and Darling to Balls. On one side people who seem to stay out of party politics unless specifically asked about it and just get on with their jobs, and on the other side Balls. Who seems to always have a look of disgust and arrogance always seems to blame things on other people / parties.

Reply 14

Tha_Black_Shinobi

Aj12

Thats the whole Labour party.

what the same labour party that denounced the BA strikes :rolleyes:

Reply 15

Aj12

Tha_Black_Shinobi

what the same labour party that denounced the BA strikes :rolleyes:

Well done denouncing one strike that has zero public support anyway. Unite pays most of Labours bills. If they really wanted Labour to stay out they would have.