For one thing, it was a chance to prove he could successfully run a steel company outside Ken Iverson's shadow.

FORBES: Iron Wills

The conference was told that Labour's shadow cabinet would visit Wales in the run-up to the 2015 general election to learn from Labour assembly members.

BBC: Wales politics

As the Commons embarked on the second day of debate on the contents of the Queen's Speech on 19 November, Mr Balls accused shadow schools secretary Michael Gove of trying to "run down" the achievements of young people by claiming they only had to respond to "Mickey Mouse" test questions, which had been "dumbed down".

BBC: Queen's Speech debate: Education and health