logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2021
50m 32s

BONUS: Past Imperfect - Ed Balls

THE TIMES
About this episode

In this special bonus edition we are bringing you an episode from another Times podcast - Past Imperfect.


Ed Balls is a broadcaster, former Labour Politician and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and the winner of Celebrity Best Home Cook 2021. He talks openly to Rachel and Alice about his time in government, how he overcame the bullying he faced as a child and why he kept his lifelong stammer a secret.


Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/pastimperfect


Bullies Out: www.bulliesout.com

Young Minds: www.youngminds.org.uk

The Brittish Stammering Associtation: www.stamma.org



See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Up next
Yesterday
PMQs: 'Flirting' With A Wealth Tax
Keir Starmer reiterated his tax pledges at PMQs as Kemi Badenoch accused him of 'flirting' with a wealth tax. Hugo Rifkind pauses and unpacks the exchanges from the Commons with Patrick Maguire and Jon Harvey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. 
39m 24s
Jul 8
Can Starmer and Macron Stop the Boats?
Keir Starmer is hoping to use the French President's visit as a chance to talk migration, but will they reach a deal? Hugo Rifkind is joined by Times Columnists James Marriot and Sarah Ditum to unpack the politics of the day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform ... Show More
26m 23s
Jul 7
Another Labour Rebellion Looms
The government could be facing another backbench rebellion, this time over its plans to reform special needs support. Why aren't the 'Starmtoopers' as loyal as the Prime Minister hoped?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Seb Payne and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acas ... Show More
31m 23s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2022
The US-style conspiracy theorists now at work in Britain
Last week a small mob filmed themselves shouting abuse at the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, including the offensive call of ‘paedo protector’. But who exactly were the abusers and where had they come from?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The ... Show More
31m 35s
Dec 2020
Looking Back, Looking Forward
This week David, Helen and our producer Catherine Carr look back at five years of podcasting and five years of crazy politics, to pick our favourite moments and to discuss what we've learned. From the 2015 general election to the current crisis, via the Corn Laws and Crashed, the ... Show More
46 m
Jul 2021
Next slide, please: The enigmatic Chris Whitty
As the pandemic was changing all of our lives, the most private of men was forced into the pressure cooker of public life, facing increasing public harassment. Sixteen months on, how well do any of us really know the doctor charged with keeping the country safe? This podcast was ... Show More
27m 27s
Sep 2022
Liz Truss: The people and the policies of the new PM
Today, Liz Truss takes over as the new Conservative Prime Minister. So what do we know about her and how she will address the urgent challenges we face?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one ... Show More
30m 25s
Jun 2021
Ed Miliband's Big Ideas
David talks to Ed Miliband about the thinking behind his new book Go Big. What are the ideas that have the power to change British politics? If they have been shown to work elsewhere, why are they so hard to make happen? Is it the politicians or the public who are reluctant to ma ... Show More
45m 10s
Feb 2024
Inside the Tory plot to oust Rishi Sunak
A former adviser to the prime minister is working with a secretive group of Tories to remove him from office before the general election. MPs have been out publicly backing Rishi Sunak and denying their involvement, but it risks setting off yet another civil war in the party. So ... Show More
28m 25s
Oct 2022
The Chancellor, the u-turn and a political meltdown
After nine days of political pressure, chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has u-turned on the government’s plan to abolish the top rate of income tax, saying he felt ‘humility and contrition’. So, what was the mood at the Conservative party conference as Kwarteng addressed his party? Plus ... Show More
31m 49s
Jun 2024
Who is the real Nigel Farage?
From his school days to how he made his money, the friends he’s made (and lost) to his wives, mistresses, and allegations of facism and racism, which he denies, who is the real Nigel Farage?The full list of Clacton candidatesThis podcast was brought to you thanks to the support o ... Show More
31m 6s
Apr 2023
The New Statesman political editors’ reunion: covering Westminster from Thatcher to Sunak
In this special podcast, nine political editors and writers come together to discuss working at the New Statesman, covering everything from the rise and fall of Thatcher and New Labour through to the coalition government and the recent period of Conservative hegemony. We hear fro ... Show More
45m 45s
Apr 2024
Fighting the Post Office: Alan Bates at the inquiry
Alan Bates, the campaigner who took on the Post Office to expose flaws in its IT systems which led to wrongful convictions, has appeared before the public inquiry into the scandal. Can this crucial stage of the inquiry take the victims a step closer to justice?This podcast was br ... Show More
30m 22s