Ed Balls Forgets ?

[olddutch]

" Labour leadership hopeful Ed Balls 'forgets' he was a Tory at university ( once dressing as a Nazi)

'All through my university days and my career I've been driven by the desire to prove that Labour could run the economy well.' But it seems Mr Balls, an outside bet for the leadership behind David and Ed Miliband, is having difficulty with his memory.

While he was studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Keble College, Oxford, far from being utterly wedded to the Labour Party he was in fact a member of the university Conservative Association.
The secret Tory past of Mr Balls, who was Gordon Brown's most trusted friend in the last government, had lain undetected for more than three decades.

It was revealed by Philip Hollobone, the Tory MP for Kettering, who was a member of the same Oxford Conservative Association between 1984-87.

'I was the secretary of the Conservative association and I can tell you without a doubt that Ed Balls, who no one knew back then, was a paid-up member,' said Mr Hollobone. 'I imagine he is more than a little shy about talking about it.
'He can't deny it though because it is clearly written in the records that Ed Balls was a member. I can remember his name.'

Asked why Mr Balls joined the Tory Association, the aide added: 'It was the only way he could get to hear Tory speakers such as Michael Heseltine. He's always been a Labour man.' "

http://www.dailymail....ord-dressed-Nazi.html

Does the extra dimension of Ed Balls 3 year Tory Party Membership experience improve or hinder his
chances in the Labour Leadership Stakes ?

[jake-the-peg]

Well it didn't stop Winston Churchill becoming prime minister

And he switched from the Tory Party to the Liberals and back again whilst still an MP!

And if Cameron can put his University Bullingdon career behind him I don't see why not

[anotheoldgit]

How many were once fully paid up members of the Communist Party?

[Seadragon]

It's good to know that one can have experience of the other. I think it gives more substance to someone if they have been on the opposite side so to speak, at least they can't be seen as too much of a narrow bigot. If he says he is a 'Labour Man' at least he has tried and tested the other side.

[olddutch]

neat answer seadragon - yes looks like Eds had a good grounding batting for the other side - but it will be interesting to see how he is now seen by labour members and MP s and if this info impacts on election chances

[Zeuhl]

Ed Balls is a fat, smug-faced, lying crook.

It's not him who should be embarassed by his past affiliations with particular Parties - it's the Parties!

.

[youngmafbog]

I dont like Balls but what he did when young has little to do with anything we all change or mature our views and politics is littered with such.
His mistake was to perhaps issue the original statement which could then be construed as lying.
I also doubt he joined it simply to listen to Tarzanm but again does it matter ? I dont think so.

[olddutch]

Ed does seem to upset a few people and can be a trifle pushy - an example below

http://www.spectator....8/talking-balls.thtml

[Quizmonster]

Lots of male students used to join the Young Conservatives and later such associations for no reason other than the opportunities for 'relationships' membership provided. So many young female students from the Tory shires were more than happy to be mounted. (I don't know what YOU'RE thinking but I, of course, am talking about horses!)