Ed Balls: my London

The Shadow Chancellor trains in Clissold Park and sings karaoke in Soho

12 April 2013

Home is…

We commute between Stoke Newington and our home in West Yorkshire, where Yvette [Cooper, his wife and Shadow Home Secretary] and I are both MPs.

Where do you live in London?

I moved to Hackney 20 years ago when we rented a flat in Dalston. It’s the part of London I feel most at home in — vibrant, diverse but also villagey. For a few years we moved to Vauxhall to be closer to Westminster when the children were young, but — what can I say — I’m a ‘northerner’ at heart.

Biggest extravagance?

I’ve been to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria five times in the past three years. I can’t wait to go again...

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you?

For our wedding anniversary, Yvette always books the first restaurant we went to together, the excellent Jin Kichi, a Japanese in Hampstead.

Best meal?

The Grilled Set A at Jin Kichi.

Best place to let your hair down?

The upstairs karaoke rooms at Imperial China in Lisle Street — decent food, great music selection and excellent soundproofing.

Best place for a first date?

Years ago on special occasions we used to go to the cabaret lounge at the Café Royal. I remember having great nights with a Drifters tribute band and ‘the sound of the Supremes’. But I don’t know if it’s still there...

What would you do as Mayor for the day?

I’d announce that the Mayor of London will run the London Marathon in 2014 — then sit back and watch Boris sweat.

Building you’d most like to live in?

I have always loved the Art Deco Hoover building on the A40.

Last play you saw?

Evita, earlier this week at the Young Actors Theatre in Islington. I really love the music.

First thing you do when you arrive back in London?

Go to our Turkish corner shop to get milk and wonderful flatbread.

Earliest memory?

I first visited London in 1976 when I was nine years old. We went to a new place in Leicester Square called McDonald’s. It served a hamburger in a box and the milkshake had ice cream in it. Mind-blowingly unforgettable.

Favourite pub?

The Brownswood on Green Lanes. It has great beers, and does sausages with mash and excellent gravy.

Best thing a cabbie said to you?

‘Are you a politician? I had that Ed Balls in my cab last week. You know what, he wasn’t that bad.’

Who do you call when you want to have fun in London?

Yvette, of course.

Best place for a nightcap?

My office team swear by Little Italy in Soho, but only after I have been bundled into a cab. I think I cramp their style.

Favourite shops?

Meat N16 butchers on Church Street — it’s very, very good —closely followed by the Stoke Newington Fruit & Veg shop; I love the choice and quality. Stoke Newington Bookshop, because I like the staff recommendations. Costa Coffee outside Finsbury Park station is a morning essential. And Leon at King’s Cross for breakfast to take on the train.

Have you had a run-in with a London policeman?

I was once too slow getting into the PM’s car at Downing Street, when the security convoy was ready to leave. They were very annoyed at me. A mistake you only make once.

Favourite London discoveries?

For my training I go to Clissold Park and Regent’s Park. Last week I ran along the canal from Limehouse to Regent’s Park and got a whole new perspective on these parts of London.