Sam White (born 1975 or 1976) is a British political adviser. He was Chief of Staff to Leader of the Opposition Keir Starmer from September 2021 to November 2022.
Sam White | |
|---|---|
| Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Opposition | |
| In office September 2021 – October 2022 | |
| Leader | Keir Starmer |
| Preceded by | Morgan McSweeney |
| Succeeded by | Sue Gray (2023) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 1974 |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouse | Katie White |
| Parent |
|
| Occupation | Political adviser |
Early life
editWhite was born in 1975 or 1976.[1] His father is Michael White.[2]
Career
editWhite 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]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Chappell, Elliot (11 October 2022). "Chief of staff leaves amid restructuring to put Labour on "election footing"". LabourList. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ Rodgers, Sienna (6 May 2020). "What does the new leader's office say about Keir Starmer?". LabourList. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ a b c "Sam White, Special Adviser". PolicyMogul. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Keir Starmer, mystery man". POLITICO. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ Elgot, Jessica (1 August 2022). "Labour facing 'breakdown in discipline' as Nandy visits picket line". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Chappell, Elliot. "Chief of staff leaves amid restructuring to put Labour on "election footing"". LabourList. Retrieved 28 March 2023.