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  • Speaking Out

  • Lessons in Life and Politics
  • By: Ed Balls
  • Narrated by: Ed Balls
  • Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (227 ratings)
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Speaking Out

By: Ed Balls
Narrated by: Ed Balls
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Summary

On the night of 7 May 2015, Ed Balls thought there was a chance he would wake up the next morning as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. Instead he woke up without a job.

For two decades he had occupied a central position within Labour, rising from adviser to Cabinet Minister during the years in power and Shadow Chancellor in Opposition. Throughout one of the most tumultuous periods in recent British history, he made a point of speaking out, whatever the consequences. But on that May morning, he was silenced.

Speaking Out is a record of a life in politics but also much more. It is about how power can be used for good and the lessons to be learned when things go wrong. It is about the mechanics of Westminster and of government. It is about facing up to your fears and misgivings and tackling your limitations - on stages public and private.

It is about the mistakes made, change delivered and personalities encountered over the course of two decades at the front line of British politics. It is a unique window into a rarely seen world. Most importantly, it explains what politics is about and why it matters.

©2016 Ed Balls (P)2016 Random House Audiobooks

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  • 07-05-17

How I misjudged this politician

If you couldn't stand this man when he was in politics, as I couldn't, all the more reason to listen. Ironically, I'd have him back in politics in an instant in 2017. Bit late now...

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The slowest marathon runner in Parliament, but the

Edward Michael Balls is a retired British Labour and Co-operative politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Normanton from 2005 to 2010 and for Morley and Outwood from 2010 to 2015, when he lost his seat to Andrea Jenkyns of the Conservative Party. For two decades he had been at the centre of Labour and working his way up through the ranks. This book is a record of his life in politics including how lessons can be learnt when things go wrong. He has since found fame after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing, amongst other things.

Ball comes across as a person who makes generous and insightful judgements of foes as well as friends. He tries hard to understand the motives of people who have crossed him. And in this engaging memoir he portrays a person with a deep personal hinterland, and a dry and sardonic wit. Ball emerges from this book as a rounded, principled human. He is honest in his mistakes but stands firm in a belief that politicians should improve the collective well being of us all. He also acknowledges that people are mistrustful and cynical of politics as whole. He is never cruel or unfair about most of his former colleagues. For example, he is polite about Brown and Blair, but less so about Ed Miliband. But even then, he judges him politically rather than personally. In fact, the lack of recrimination and backstabbing must be a disappointment to readers for whom that is the substance of political life.

Unusually for a autobiography the chapters are organised into specific themes (there are 27 in all). Within the context of each theme Ball then recounts political events that matches it. This unique way of writing makes for some repetition and, call me old-fashioned, but I would have much preferred a chronological order. Although that said one or two of the essays stand alone as little gems of insight and reflection.

The first section of the book was the most interesting. This was less directly about politics. The middle of the book sags as there is a heavy focus on economics. Great if you’re really interested in it, less so if you’re not. If you can power through this section then it shouldn’t detract too much from your overall enjoyment of the book.

Balls goes onto describe Labour's four-week general election campaign in 2015 as "astonishingly dysfunctional" and "we weren't ready – and didn't deserve – to return to government". He also describes Jeremy Corbyn's leadership project as a "leftist utopian fantasy, devoid of connection to the reality of people's lives". He vigorously defends a mixed economy and the necessary compromises involved in a Labour government operating in a capitalist system. For him, politics is all about getting into power and trying to make the world a better place within the inevitable constraints.

Balls also talks in detail about his interiorised stammer. This is a condition that manifests itself in sudden verbal freezes, inaudible on the outside, but panic-inducing on the inside. His initial reluctance to get treatment and subsequent decision to go public, is both compelling and affecting.

In summary:
Whilst not the best autobiography ever written, this is an informative, humorous insight into an under-rated politician's career. You’ll be left with not only an understanding of Balls, but also of the Labour Party, politics and, even some aspects of the British character. Balls comes across as very human and likeable. Not at all like the intellectual and political bully I was used to seeing on TV. He outlines, in a very easy to understand style, what was good about Labour's actions leading up to and following the global financial crisis. Clearly driven by strong sense of values he outlines suggestions for the next generation of politicians of any party.

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3 people found this helpful

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First class in every way

What did you like most about Speaking Out?

The honesty and way Ed is capable of reflection and awareness of mistakes is refreshing. I am so gad he narrates it himself. If you are interested in politics of any colour or interested in current affairs this is a must listen. I wish so much he was leading Labour not Corbyn!

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Interesting in parts but spoiled by narration

Normally like books narrated by he writer but for me Ed's voice actually spoiled it. May try it as a book sometime but have returned the audiobook.

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Really enjoyed this book

I wasn't a fan of Ed Balls but this book changed my thinking: respect Mr Balls

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I'm struggling!

Any additional comments?

This seems like a very interesting book, but I'm now at chapter 11 and will have to return the audiobook and read it instead. Ed Balls has done extremely well in overcoming his speech impediment. Unfortunately, although it would not be a problem at all in Parliament, an after dinner speech etc, it is something of an issue in reading a long audiobook. The breathing exercises etc that he uses makes the resulting speech too staccato for me to be able to listen to for a long length of time without distraction.

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Made even more powerful by author's narration

Ed Balls shares some of his insight and experiences at the top of politics with admirable reflection of what failed as well as succeeded. The section on managing privacy for the family was fascinating and issues around his and others' stammers were moving and informative too. The most useful chapters were where politics combines with the economy and which should lead which. The fact Ed Balls gives the narration dramatically improves the impact and emphasis on his thoughts and lessons for the future. Balls has lectured at Harvard since losing his seat in 2015 and through this audiobook we get an impressively reflective lecture on a wide range of material that poses as many questions as it answers, but is no worse for that.

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Insightful but at time Egotistical

Learning about one dot eh brightest stars of new labour was insightful and understanding what they got right and wrong from Ed's point of view was fantastically engaging. This is an excellent book on the lessons any budding politician or politically minded person should know. However, the last part of the book just feels like a justification for centerism, and labels anyone with slightly left of centre views a radical or an outsider. For someone that says Labour ought to be a unifying party, he does a good a job of alienating a lot of younger, more left wing voters. It feels symptomatic of the centrists of Labour - unable to allow moderate left wing people to participate in the policy process.

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Thoroughly enjoyable

While slightly repetitive at times, this is an engaging book leaving the listener with a deeper understanding of being a politician in todays world, the events of the time in office, and a great respect for Ed Balks. Highly Recommended.

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Very insightful and honest account

Ed Balls lays out an interesting account of his political career with short bursts into his personal life. He honestly summaries his recollection of major events and is self critical of his own and his party's approach on occasions which is quite refreshing.
Coupled with the documentary "Travels in Trumpland", this book gave me a real appreciation of Ed Balls honest and genuine approach to understand both sides of an argument. From somebody who is on the other side of the political fence to Ed, don't be put off. I'm sure, like me, you'll very much enjoy this book.

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