Ed Balls won't quit race to lead Labour

Published on Sunday 25 July 2010 18:12

ED Balls moved to quash speculation he was quitting the Labour leadership race yesterday, insisting he was the best candidate to take on the coalition government.

• In a blow to his leadership aspirations, Ed Balls failed to win the backing of the Unite union (credit: Getty Images)

The former schools secretary was forced to re-state his commitment to the contest after reports suggested he was stepping aside in the wake of his failure to secure the backing of Unite union.

Mr Balls was overlooked by the union in favour of Ed Miliband, who has now secured the endorsement of three out of the four major UK trade unions after Unison and the GMB also pledged their support. Mr Balls was believed to be considering his candidacy, but came out fighting to deny the reports.

Writing on his campaign blog, Mr Balls said: "I've never been a front runner in this campaign, I did not have the early organisation of some other candidates and I am behind on formal CLP (constituency Labour Party) and union endorsements, but the votes which count won't be cast until September.

"The Labour Leadership will be decided by millions of individual members of the party, the unions and socialist societies all making their own decisions - many of whom have not yet made up their minds."