Who I'm backing for Labour leader: Ed Balls

Whether it was as a Treasury Minister introducing new legislation to level the playing field for co-operatives or the financial support for Co-operative Trust Schools he brought in as Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed has demonstrated that he puts Co-op values into action.

The last 13 years of Labour government delivered huge benefits to the Co-op Movement, what could we achieve with a committed co-operator as our next Prime Minister?

But, Ed’s Co-op credentials are not the only reason I am supporting him. At a time when the cry from the tabloids is “they just don’t get it”, Ed does. He’s grounded, grew up in Nottingham, represents a Yorkshire seat and speaks the language of ordinary people. He had a tough fight to win his seat at the General Election — the Tories threw everything they had at him, but Ed came out fighting and won. 

Sadly, I didn’t win my seat, I got swept away in the South East swing against Labour. I want the next leader of the Labour Party to be someone who understands that if we are to have a Labour government again, we need to win places like my former Portsmouth North seat. 

We are electing not just a leader of the Party, but a current leader of the Opposition and a future Prime Minister.  For me, Ed ticks all those boxes — he’ll stand up for Party members, he will be a formidable force against David Cameron at Prime Ministers Questions and he has the intellect and gravitas to lead our country.

• Sarah McCarthy-Fry is the former Labour/Co-op MP for Portsmouth North and leadership campaign co-ordinator for Ed Balls.