Sam White (political adviser)

Last updated

Sam White
Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition
In office
September 2021 –October 2022
OccupationPolitical adviser

Sam White (born 1975or1976) is a British political adviser. He was Chief of Staff to Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer from September 2021 to November 2022.

Contents

Early life

White was born in 1975or1976. [1] His father is Michael White. [2]

Career

White worked for Alistair Darling from 2004 to 2010, including as a special adviser in HM Treasury. He also worked at the Government trade department and transport department. [1] From 2010 to 2021, he was group sustainability and public policy director at Aviva overseeing Aviva's Net Zero carbon plans. [3]

White became a Strategic Adviser to Keir Starmer, [3] supporting his transition to Leader of the Opposition in 2020 [1] and running his response to the COVID-19 pandemic from April to August 2020. [3] He was appointed Chief of Staff to Starmer in July 2021, taking up the role in September. [1] White's appointment came after the loss of the Hartlepool by-election, a "botched" reshuffle, and sagging poll numbers. [4] The appointment was praised by Conservative Party adviser James Dowling, who had worked with White at the Treasury. [5] White's style was described as hands-on. [6] While in the role, White was documented as clashing with Shadow Cabinet member Lisa Nandy over her attending a picket line in August 2022. [7]

White was sacked from the role in November 2022 as Labour prepared for an election to be called. [8] A briefing to The Times reported White was "blamed for a series of strategic missteps that enraged the Shadow Cabinet and fomented an atmosphere of tension and distrust belied by Labour's success in the polls". [9] Starmer told staff that White's departure was a result of policy and communications teams moving from Starmer's office to party headquarters, leaving a smaller role than White has signed up for. [10] The Times said that, according to White's internal critics, "his style was defined by an excess of caution that too often prevented Starmer from seizing the initiative". [9] Labour said White was departing on amicable terms. [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Chappell, Elliot (11 October 2022). "Chief of staff leaves amid restructuring to put Labour on "election footing"". LabourList. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  2. ↑ Rodgers, Sienna (6 May 2020). "What does the new leader's office say about Keir Starmer?". LabourList. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Sam White, Special Adviser". PolicyMogul. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  4. ↑ Stewart, Heather; Elgot, Jessica (22 June 2021). "Keir Starmer set to make major changes to Labour backroom team". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  5. ↑ Dowling, James (29 July 2021). "Keir Starmer's new chief of staff has the political skill to reboot the Labour Party" . The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  6. ↑ "Keir Starmer, mystery man". POLITICO. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  7. ↑ Elgot, Jessica (1 August 2022). "Labour facing 'breakdown in discipline' as Nandy visits picket line". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  8. 1 2 Elgot, Jessica; Crerar, Pippa (11 October 2022). "Keir Starmer axes chief of staff to put Labour on 'election footing'". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  9. 1 2 Zeffman, Henry; Wright, Oliver; Maguire, Patrick (11 October 2022). "Keir Starmer sacks chief of staff to put Labour in general election mode" . The Times. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  10. ↑ Chappell, Elliot. "Chief of staff leaves amid restructuring to put Labour on "election footing"". LabourList. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
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