Speaking Out

Speaking Out is Ed Balls' memoir of his life in British politics, covering his journey from early policy advisor to Cabinet Minister and Shadow Chancellor. The book provides an inside view of the New Labour government years and the major political events of that era. Balls recounts key moments and decisions during his time working with Gordon Brown at the Treasury and his experiences as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families. His perspective on the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath forms a central part of the narrative. The account continues through Labour's defeat in 2010, Balls' subsequent role in opposition, and his transition to life after losing his parliamentary seat in 2015. His experiences on Strictly Come Dancing and other post-politics ventures are included in the later chapters. The memoir explores themes of power, public service, and personal identity in modern British politics. Through his own story, Balls examines how politicians navigate between public expectations and private struggles.

Readers found Speaking Out to be an honest and self-aware political memoir, with Ball's reflections on his time as Shadow Chancellor and his life after losing his parliamentary seat in 2015. Readers appreciated: - Personal anecdotes about stammering and overcoming public speaking fears - Behind-the-scenes insights into New Labour and Gordon Brown's government - His transition from politics to Strictly Come Dancing - The frank discussion of election defeat and career change Common criticisms: - Too much detail on economic policy for casual readers - Some sections on parliamentary procedures drag - Occasional defensive tone about Labour's economic record Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (46 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.4/5 (81 reviews) Reader quote: "Much more engaging than expected - less a dry political memoir and more a human story about adapting to change." - Amazon reviewer "The Strictly Come Dancing chapters feel disconnected from the political content" - Goodreads reviewer

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🗣️ Ed Balls served as UK Shadow Chancellor from 2011-2015, but was dramatically defeated in his parliamentary seat during the 2015 general election, marking the first time since 1931 that a Shadow Chancellor had lost their seat. 📚 The book reveals how Balls struggled with a stammer throughout his political career, leading him to become a patron of the British Stammering Association and advocate for others with speech impediments. 💃 After leaving politics, Ed Balls reinvented himself as a popular TV personality, most notably appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, where his "Gangnam Style" dance routine became a viral sensation. ✍️ Speaking Out was written without the aid of a ghostwriter or diary, with Balls relying on his memory and contemporary news reports to reconstruct events. 🎓 Before entering politics, Balls was an accomplished academic, teaching at Harvard University and serving as a Fellow at Oxford University's Keble College.