Ed Balls has christened the prime minister and chancellor "Butch Cameron and the flat-line kid" as he sharply criticised the two men for how they treated women and handled the economy.

In his speech to the Labour Party conference in Manchester on Monday, the shadow chancellor said in Cameron'a cabinet "the women get the sack and only the chaps get the knighthoods".

"What does it take to get sacked" he asked referencing Andrew Mitchell's run-in with Downing Street police. "Swear at a police officer and call him a ‘pleb’? And you’re defended to the hilt."

Attacking former culture secretary, now health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, he said: "Get caught red-handed texting market sensitive information to News International? You get promoted.

And turning to George Osborne, he told Labour activists: "Flat-line the economy and deliver the most unfair and shambolic Budget in living memory? And you stay in post – more than that, you’re allowed to do it part-time."

SEE ALSO: Labour Conference: Live Updates From Manchester

Balls said while it seemed impossible for a male cabinet minister to lose their jobs, Cameron was not so lenient with women.

"What kind of prime minister thinks it’s fair to sack a 54 year old woman from his Cabinet because she’s 'too old' - and then give the job to a 56 year old man instead?

"Let me tell you: a prime minister who only appoints five women in the first place, sacks three of them, demotes the other two - and then attacks the Labour leadership for not being 'butch' enough.

"Butch? Butch? Whatever did he mean? And if David Cameron is butch, where does that leave George Osborne?

Balls added: "Perhaps this is why George Osborne will never be sacked. A prime minister and a chancellor destined to go down fighting together. And this time, let’s see them riding off into the sun-set. Butch Cameron and the flat-line kid."

By contrast Balls said he was "proud" to serve in ed Miliband's shadow cabinet which wasmore than 40% women.

SEE ALSO: Ed Balls speaks to The Huffington Post UK, Encourages Lib Dems To Quit Coalition

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  • The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls (L) celebrates scoring a goal with Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls (L) celebrates scoring a goal with Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls makes an attack on the goal during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls (R) celebrates scoring a goal with Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls scores a goal during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls (L) and Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham share a joke before the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Labour Annual Conference 2012

    Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls challenges goalkeeper Kiran Stacey at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester.

  • Labour Annual Conference 2012

    Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls climbs over a fence after retrieving the ball at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester.

  • Labour Annual Conference 2012

    Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls is fouled at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester.

  • Labour Annual Conference 2012

    Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls jumps to win a header at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester.

  • The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls makes an attack on the goal during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • The Labour Party Annual Conference Begins In Manchester

    MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Labour's Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls (R) and Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham take on refreshment during the Labour MP's v Press Lobby Party Conference football match at Salford City FC on September 30, 2012 in Manchester, England. The annual pre-conference match was won by the MP's 3-0 with two goals from Ed Balls and one from Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

  • Labour Annual Conference 2012

    Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester.

  • Labour Annual Conference 2012

    Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls celebrates with shadow health secretary Andy Burnham after scoring at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester.

  • Labour Annual Conference 2012

    Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester.

  • Labour Annual Conference 2012

    Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls at Salford City Football Club, Salford, during the Labour MPs Vs Press Lobby football match prior to the start of the Labour Party Annual Conference in Manchester.