To be fair to Ed Balls, everyone forgets names from time to time. ‘His surname has just gone from my mind at this time of night,’ said the Shadow Chancellor, looking sheepish. We’ve all been there, struggling to remember the name or Jenny Thingummer, or Tom Whatsisname. But the wider problem is that Balls couldn’t think of anyone other than this Bill Somebody when asked to name business leaders who supported Labour. It’s easy to forget a name. But not so much an entire list of names who support a party, especially when you’re on your way into a studio to claim that said party is very pro-business. Was Bill the only guy who’d expressed support for Labour? That impression, of just one lonely businessman, was more damaging, not that Balls couldn’t remember the man’s surname.
The question wouldn’t have been asked of the Tories, because the assumption is always that the party is too cosy with big business.
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