Ed Balls has come under fire once again for his perceived bias on Good Morning Britain, just a day into Andy Burnham's premiership. The former Labour MP, who is married to Health Secretary Yvette Cooper and a long-time friend of the Prime Minister, clashed with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey on Tuesday, July 21, over whether Burnham should call a general election.
Heated exchange over general election
Balls slammed Davey for "being an opposition leader who doesn't want a general election despite being ahead in the polls." Davey hit back: "No, because I'm actually putting the country first. I mean, this may be surprising for you, but the country is in a bit of a mess, right? The people are impatient for change. I'm looking forward to the General Election when it comes. I think we'll do really, really well. Last election, we surprised people. We got the best result for 100 years, and I think we're going to move on from that. However, if you're interested in our country and people who are struggling with the cost of living, people who can't see a GP, businesses who can't trade because of the disastrous Brexit, we have to get our economy moving. We have to deal with the cost of living, and people are in urgent need of that."
Balls mocked: "What do we want? A General Election. When do we want it? Not now, please, because we've got other things to sort out. I'm just saying it's an unusual slogan for your position leader," as Davey swiped: "It's your slogan, Mr Balls. It's not mine."
Previous awkward moments
The clash followed another uncomfortable moment on Monday's show, where former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng discussed Burnham's claims of bringing about the "biggest changes in the last 40 years." Kwarteng, who called the PM's comments "over the top," recalled that Ed had been "in government with him through most of that New Labour period," a remark that appeared to make co-host Susanna Reid visibly uncomfortable. One viewer shared on X: "Kwasi Kwarteng to Ed Balls: 'You were in government with him [Andy Burnham],' uh oh. The look on Susanna Reid's face suggests she was worried too!"
Days before Burnham took over from Sir Keir Starmer, Balls was forced to navigate awkward comments from political commentator Kevin Maguire, who speculated over potential Chancellor candidates and quipped: "My 20p, for some time, rightly or wrongly, has been on Yvette Cooper. We don't know anyone who knows her." Balls joked, "News to me."
Questions over impartiality
Balls, a regular recipient of Ofcom complaints, has long faced scrutiny over his ability to remain neutral given his close ties to Labour. He is married to Health Secretary Yvette Cooper, whom he has controversially interviewed on the show, and is a former colleague and friend of the new Prime Minister. Critics argue that for a programme promising "balanced, fair and duly impartial" interviews, Balls' involvement is contradictory. With Burnham now in power, some viewers believe it is time for Ed Balls to walk away from GMB.
