Speaking Out
Lessons in Life and Politics
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Speaking Out
Narrated by:
Ed Balls
Buy Now for £9.48
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Narrated by:
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Ed Balls
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By:
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Ed Balls
Summary
On the night of 7 May 2015, Ed Balls thought there was a chance he would wake up the next morning as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. Instead he woke up without a job.
For two decades he had occupied a central position within Labour, rising from adviser to Cabinet Minister during the years in power and Shadow Chancellor in Opposition. Throughout one of the most tumultuous periods in recent British history, he made a point of speaking out, whatever the consequences. But on that May morning, he was silenced.
Speaking Out is a record of a life in politics but also much more. It is about how power can be used for good and the lessons to be learned when things go wrong. It is about the mechanics of Westminster and of government. It is about facing up to your fears and misgivings and tackling your limitations - on stages public and private.
It is about the mistakes made, change delivered and personalities encountered over the course of two decades at the front line of British politics. It is a unique window into a rarely seen world. Most importantly, it explains what politics is about and why it matters.
©2016 Ed Balls (P)2016 Random House Audiobooks
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A frank, at times very personal, look at the author's own career; Balls explains his thinking at the time and now with hindsight on some of the most important events in modern British politics; from Clause 4 to Brexit.
Must listen
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what a nice guy!
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How I misjudged this politician
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Ball comes across as a person who makes generous and insightful judgements of foes as well as friends. He tries hard to understand the motives of people who have crossed him. And in this engaging memoir he portrays a person with a deep personal hinterland, and a dry and sardonic wit. Ball emerges from this book as a rounded, principled human. He is honest in his mistakes but stands firm in a belief that politicians should improve the collective well being of us all. He also acknowledges that people are mistrustful and cynical of politics as whole. He is never cruel or unfair about most of his former colleagues. For example, he is polite about Brown and Blair, but less so about Ed Miliband. But even then, he judges him politically rather than personally. In fact, the lack of recrimination and backstabbing must be a disappointment to readers for whom that is the substance of political life.
Unusually for a autobiography the chapters are organised into specific themes (there are 27 in all). Within the context of each theme Ball then recounts political events that matches it. This unique way of writing makes for some repetition and, call me old-fashioned, but I would have much preferred a chronological order. Although that said one or two of the essays stand alone as little gems of insight and reflection.
The first section of the book was the most interesting. This was less directly about politics. The middle of the book sags as there is a heavy focus on economics. Great if you’re really interested in it, less so if you’re not. If you can power through this section then it shouldn’t detract too much from your overall enjoyment of the book.
Balls goes onto describe Labour's four-week general election campaign in 2015 as "astonishingly dysfunctional" and "we weren't ready – and didn't deserve – to return to government". He also describes Jeremy Corbyn's leadership project as a "leftist utopian fantasy, devoid of connection to the reality of people's lives". He vigorously defends a mixed economy and the necessary compromises involved in a Labour government operating in a capitalist system. For him, politics is all about getting into power and trying to make the world a better place within the inevitable constraints.
Balls also talks in detail about his interiorised stammer. This is a condition that manifests itself in sudden verbal freezes, inaudible on the outside, but panic-inducing on the inside. His initial reluctance to get treatment and subsequent decision to go public, is both compelling and affecting.
In summary:
Whilst not the best autobiography ever written, this is an informative, humorous insight into an under-rated politician's career. You’ll be left with not only an understanding of Balls, but also of the Labour Party, politics and, even some aspects of the British character. Balls comes across as very human and likeable. Not at all like the intellectual and political bully I was used to seeing on TV. He outlines, in a very easy to understand style, what was good about Labour's actions leading up to and following the global financial crisis. Clearly driven by strong sense of values he outlines suggestions for the next generation of politicians of any party.
The slowest marathon runner in Parliament, but the
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Excellent Book
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