The Balls-baiting has begun. But will it work? - Telegraph.co.uk (blog)

Ed Balls with his wife Yvette Cooper in 2009 (Photo: Heathcliff O'Malley)

So the Balls-baiting has begun. On the BBC's World at One, past claims of dubious briefings (which he denied) were dusted down and wafted under the nose of the new shadow chancellor. Stand by for lots more of this. Mr Balls is a pugilist who will expect allegations of rough behaviour, of which there are no shortage, to be used against him.

The early signs are that he he will not be responding in kind. He was careful, in his first interview, to suggest that you could not slip a deficit reduction plan between him and Ed Miliband. Critics will think that the new, collegiate Ed B is a posture. Just as leopards do not change their spots, leadership contenders of the Balls mould do not discard their own ambitions to become a first lieutenant.

Nor, the anti-Balls brigade will argue, is he likely to rip up his prospectus and adopt the Alan Johnson economic cribsheet which said, in effect: "I agree with Ed." In short, Mr Balls's critics are hoping for a scrap. I think they will be disappointed. It's true that he could, if he wished, try to exploit the current vulnerability of Mr Miliband, who invested a great deal – arguably too much – in Mr Johnson.

Despite his patchy record on supporting the leader on matters outwith the economy, such as the 50p tax rate and a graduate tax, Mr Johnson was made the "enforcer" before whom other shadow ministers must genuflect. Mr Miliband may regret elevating Mr Johnson higher even than the job demanded, whatever his populist appeal and the sympathy all colleagues now feel for his personal unhappiness.

But I doubt if Mr Balls is out to score any points. He has the post he hoped for for so long. The Government's failure to check youth unemployment, its lamentable record on building social housing and the like will provide endless opportunity for him to advance his plans for justice and for growth.

At the Home Office brief, a job he didn't want, he has worked tirelessly and mostly effectively – excellent on policing cuts if muddled on control orders. Now he is back at the very heart of oppposition, working with a leader who has also gained some bruises and much experience since their Treasury days and the leadership election.

For the first time, the two Eds need one another. Each, for now, is the other's best chance of election victory. Neither – and especially Mr Balls, who has more to lose if the leader's gamble fails, is likely to blow this opportunity.