Ed Balls document leak

Last updated

The Ed Balls document leak was a political controversy in the United Kingdom that arose on 9 June 2011. It was based on a database of 55 private documents leaked by The Daily Telegraph [1] that purported to show that Ed Balls played a central role in a plot, launched two months after the 2005 general election dubbed "Project Volvo", [2] to oust Tony Blair as prime minister and replace him with Gordon Brown. The files included private letters between Blair and Brown, and also purported to show that the government went ahead with plans to increase public spending, despite receiving advice to the contrary. [3]

Contents

The day following the revelations Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell sanctioned an investigation into the leaking of the papers, after receiving a complaint from Balls, who maintained that the documents referred only to attempts made by him and agreed with by Blair and Brown, "to ensure a 'stable and orderly transition'" [4] between the two Labour politicians.

Background

In May 2009 The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph published details of MPs' expenses. This led to a number of high-profile resignations from both the ruling Labour administration and the Conservative opposition. The release of the 66 documents in June 2011 was the second time in recent history that the Telegraph Group had made available to the public documents that could be potentially damaging to political figures.

Balls had been a key figure in New Labour's economic reform agenda. However, he and Brown had differed from the Blairites in being more keen to stress their roots in Labour party intellectual traditions such as Fabianism and the co-operative movement, in addition to taking a modernising approach when it came to policy. [5]

The files

On the evening of 9 July 2011 The Daily Telegraph published the first set of files, consisting of more than 30 documents, which allegedly showed that Balls, and to some extent Ed Miliband and Douglas Alexander, [6] had played a "key role" [6] in undermining Tony Blair in the wake of the 2005 New Labour general election win, "in a plot codenamed Project Volvo". [6] The cache of documents also appeared to reveal in handwritten notes made by Brown his negative feelings towards Blair; material which had previously only been the subject of considerable media speculation.

The following day, 10 July, the newspaper released a further 19 documents "obtained from the personal files of Mr Balls" [3] which purportedly provided evidence that Brown took decisions to press ahead with increased public spending, despite receiving advice that "any increase in taxpayer expenditure should only be in line with inflation". [3] Another memorandum appeared to show that Brown and Balls were warned "that plans to scrap the 10p tax rate would hit millions of poorer Britons and pensioners." [3]

Denial of allegations

Balls maintained both before and after the documents were leaked that he had not been part of a campaign to replace Blair with Brown. In July 2010, Balls dismissed as "total, absolute nonsense" that he had taken part in a coup to oust Blair, [7] and in a BBC interview on 15 June 2010 with Andrew Neil Balls responded to the question "Andrew Rawnsley says the coup was not run by Gordon. It was run by Ed. Is that made up too?" by answering "Complete and utter total balderdash and rubbish". [8]

Subsequent to the documents being published by The Daily Telegraph, Balls again denied any involvement in any role to unseat Blair, calling the allegations ""false and mendacious" [9] and saying "The idea that there was a plot or a coup is untrue and not justified by these papers". [9] Balls claimed that his role at that time was to "hold things together" [9] and that the differences between Blair and Brown amounted to "creative tensions". [7]

Media reaction

In the immediate aftermath of the release, The Guardian stated that the controversy raised questions as to whether O'Donnell's investigation "will raise questions about whether the new government was involved in the leaking of the papers", [10] an insinuation that was lent support by Michael White in the same paper. [11] Toby Young, in The Daily Telegraph, wrote that the leak of the documents had shown that there had been a cover up and suggested that Balls' position as shadow chancellor was untenable. [8] Steve Richards, writing in The Independent , wrote that "the documents are not incriminating. Indeed, the context in which they were written shows why it would be more of a shock if such memos had not been composed as Labour's long internal battle reached a dénouement". [12] The New Statesman wrote "there is no doubt that they are damaging to the shadow chancellor. They contradict his public insistence that he never sought to undermine Blair", [13] and also questioned the timing of the information coming to light. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gordon Brown</span> Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2007 to 2010

James Gordon Brown is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 to 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer under Tony Blair from 1997 to 2007. He was Member of Parliament (MP) for Dunfermline East from 1983 to 2005 and, following boundary changes, Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath from 2005 to 2015. Brown is both the most recent Labour Party politician and the most recent Scottish politician to hold the office of prime minister.

Alexander Andrew Mackay Irvine, Baron Irvine of Lairg,, known as Derry Irvine, is a Scottish lawyer, judge and politician who served as Lord Chancellor from 1997 to 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Mandelson</span> British Labour politician

Peter Benjamin Mandelson, Baron Mandelson is a British Labour Party politician who served as First Secretary of State from 2009 to 2010. He was President of the Board of Trade in 1998 and from 2008 to 2010. He is the president of international think tank Policy Network, honorary president of the Great Britain–China Centre, and chairman of strategic advisory firm Global Counsel. Mandelson is often referred to as a Blairite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Straw</span> British Labour politician (born 1946)

John Whitaker Straw is a British politician who served in the Cabinet from 1997 to 2010 under the Labour governments of Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He held two of the traditional Great Offices of State, as Home Secretary from 1997 to 2001, and Foreign Secretary from 2001 to 2006 under Blair. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Blackburn from 1979 to 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blairism</span> Political ideology of Tony Blair

In British politics, Blairism is the political ideology of Tony Blair, the former leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister between 1997 and 2007, and those that support him, known as Blairites. It entered the New Penguin English Dictionary in 2000. Elements of the ideology include investment in public services, expansionary efforts in education to encourage social mobility, and increased actions in terms of mass surveillance alongside a ramping up of law enforcement powers, both of these latter changes advocated in the context of fighting organized crime and terrorism. Blairites have additionally been known for their contrast with the traditional support for socialism by those believing in left-wing politics, with Blair himself and others speaking out against the nationalisation of major industries and against also heavy regulations of business operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Tami</span> British Labour politician

Mark Richard Tami is a Welsh Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Alyn and Deeside since 2001. He has served as Opposition Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Commons since 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downing Street memo</span> Record of secret meeting about Iraq War (2002)

The Downing Street memo, sometimes described by critics of the Iraq War as the smoking gun memo, is the note of a 23 July 2002 secret meeting of senior British government, defence and intelligence figures discussing the build-up to the war, which included direct reference to classified United States policy of the time. The name refers to 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British prime minister.

On 18 September 2004 the British Daily Telegraph ran two articles titled "Secret papers show Blair was warned of Iraq chaos" and 'Failure is not an option, but it doesn't mean they will avoid it' by reporter Michael Smith, revealing the contents of six leaked British government documents – labelled "secret" or "confidential" – concerning the lead-up to the war in Iraq.

In November 2005 Civil servant David Keogh was charged with offences under section 3, and parliamentary researcher Leo O'Connor under section 5, of the Official Secrets Act 1989 in the United Kingdom. Both men were of Northampton, England.

The Al Jazeera bombing memo is an unpublished memorandum made within the British government which is said to be the minutes of a discussion between United States President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Daily Mirror published a story on its front page on 22 November 2005 that said the memo quotes Bush speculating about a US bombing raid on Al Jazeera's world headquarters in the Qatari capital Doha and other locations. The story said that Blair persuaded Bush to take no action.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Blair</span> Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007

Sir Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007. He served as Leader of the Opposition from 1994 to 1997 and had various shadow cabinet posts from 1987 to 1994. Blair was Member of Parliament (MP) for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007. He is the second-longest-serving prime minister in post-war British history and the longest-serving Labour politician to have held the office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Premiership of Gordon Brown</span> Period of the Government of the United Kingdom from 2007 to 2010

Gordon Brown's term as the prime minister of the United Kingdom began on 27 June 2007 when he accepted an invitation of Queen Elizabeth II to form a government, replacing Tony Blair, and ended on 11 May 2010 upon his resignation. While serving as prime minister, Brown also served as the first lord of the treasury, the minister for the civil service, and the leader of the Labour Party. He and Blair both extensively used the New Labour branding while in office, which was presented as the brand of a newly reformed party that had altered Clause IV and endorsed market economics, though Brown's style of government differed from that of his predecessor. Brown is the most recent Labour politician as well as the most recent Scottish politician to hold the office of prime minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Nye, Baroness Nye</span> British civil servant

Susan Jane Nye, Baroness Nye is the former Director of Government Relations and former diary secretary to ex-British prime minister Gordon Brown. In May 2010 it was announced that Nye would be named a life peer in the Dissolution Honours List. On 19 July 2010 she became a Labour Party Peer, as Baroness Nye, of Lambeth in the London Borough of Lambeth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip Gould, Baron Gould of Brookwood</span> British political consultant (1950–2011)

Philip Gould, Baron Gould of Brookwood was a British political consultant, and former advertising executive, who worked for the Labour Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal</span> 2009 British political scandal

The United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal was a major political scandal that emerged in 2009, concerning expenses claims made by members of the British Parliament in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords over the previous years. The disclosure of widespread misuse of allowances and expenses permitted to members of Parliament (MPs) aroused widespread anger among the UK public and resulted in a large number of resignations, sackings, de-selections and retirement announcements together with public apologies and the repayment of expenses. Several members or former members of both the House of Commons, and members of the House of Lords, were prosecuted and sentenced to terms of imprisonment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iraq Inquiry</span> 2009 British public inquiry into the Iraq War

The Iraq Inquiry was a British public inquiry into the nation's role in the Iraq War. The inquiry was announced in 2009 by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and published in 2016 with a public statement by Chilcot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Balls</span> British broadcaster and politician (born 1967)

Edward Michael Balls is a British broadcaster, economist and former politician who served as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families from 2007 to 2010, and as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2011 to 2015. A member of the Labour Party and the Co-operative Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Normanton and later for Morley and Outwood between 2005 and 2015.

In British politics, Brownism is the political ideology of the former Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party Gordon Brown and those that follow him. Proponents of Brownism are referred to as Brownites.

<i>A Journey</i> Book by Tony Blair

A Journey is a memoir by Tony Blair of his tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Published in the UK on 1 September 2010, it covers events from when he became leader of the Labour Party in 1994 and transformed it into "New Labour", holding power for a party record three successive terms, to his resignation and replacement as prime minister by his Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown. Blair donated his £4.6-million advance, and all subsequent royalties, to the British Armed Forces charity the Royal British Legion. It became the fastest-selling autobiography of all time at the bookstore chain Waterstones. Promotional events were marked by anti-war protests.

The Guantánamo Bay files leak began on 24 April 2011, when WikiLeaks, along with The New York Times, NPR and The Guardian and other independent news organizations, began publishing 779 formerly secret documents relating to detainees at the United States' Guantánamo Bay detention camp established in 2002 after its invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The documents consist of classified assessments, interviews, and internal memos about detainees, which were written by the Pentagon's Joint Task Force Guantanamo, headquartered at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. The documents are marked "secret" and NOFORN.

References

  1. ↑ Conrad Quilty-Harper (10 June 2011). "Labour spending: the Ed Balls files database released". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  2. ↑ Nicholas Watt (10 June 2011). "Memos show Ed Balls's role in 'Project Volvo' plot to oust Tony Blair". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Robert Winnett, James Kirkup and Holly Watt (10 June 2011). "Labour spending: Gordon Brown and Ed Balls ignored warnings and wasted billions". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  4. ↑ Andrew Grice (11 June 2011). "Balls blames Tories for leak of Blair papers". The Independent . Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  5. ↑ "Interview: Ed Balls". New Statesman. 20 March 2006. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 Robert Winnett, and Holly Watt (9 June 2011). "Labour coup: secret letters reveal how Ed Balls plotted to overthrow Tony Blair". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  7. 1 2 Hélène Mulholland (13 July 2010). "Ed Balls denies he was part of 'insurgency' against Tony Blair". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  8. 1 2 Toby Young (10 June 2011). "Last year Ed Balls dismissed allegations he was at centre of plot to oust Blair as 'complete and utter total balderdash and rubbish'". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 "Ed Balls denies role in 'coup plot'". The Independent . 11 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  10. ↑ Nicholas Watt (10 June 2011). "Document leak to be investigated after Ed Balls complaint". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  11. ↑ Michael White (10 June 2011). "Ed Balls a plotter? That much we knew already". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  12. ↑ Steve Richards (11 June 2011). "Explosive memos? Calm down, dears". The Independent . Retrieved 11 June 2011.
  13. 1 2 George Eaton (10 June 2011). "Operation Target Ed Balls". New Statesman . Retrieved 11 June 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.