As the dust settles on Red Ed’s reshuffle it becomes clear that he’s taken the opportunity to neuter the other Ed’s power-base. How Balls and his operation work was finally confirmed when the Telegraph published his personal plans to destroy Blair. So what better way for a worried and weak leader to keep an eye on his potentially disloyal deputy than installing your own people into the rival inner circle…

Nearly all of the previous Shadow Treasury team have been booted out. Gone are B-Team loyalists, and eternal flounderers, Kerry McCarthy and Angela Eagle. Chris Leslie is the only one left in the team who gave Balls their first preference in the leadership election; he gave Miliband his third choice. Incoming minions Rachel Reeves, Owen Smith and Cathy Jamieson all voted for Ed Miliband, with Reeves and Jamieson putting Balls as their third and fourth choices respectively.  Balls is surrounded by people who prefer the other Ed. A smart move…