Would Britain buy Balls?

Asks Iain Martin, and I suspect he’s back in Rentoul territory. It is, nonetheless, a question that merits more than a cursory no in reply. For all his egregiousness, you know where Balls stands: in the crude but distinctive colours of the old left. He is convinced that any approach to spending cuts other than his own will precipitate a double-dip recession. As Iain puts it:

‘Balls is also calculating that the second half of a double-dip recession is on the way and is staking out ground on which he can be the one to proclaim to the country: I told you so.’  

In terms of Britain’s economic debate, I agree with Pete: it would be preferable if Balls were banished to obscurity. But the Labour party is embarking on a long period of internal debate and rupture: Balls will not be peripheral even if either Miliband wins.