Sam White (political adviser)

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.

White was born in 1975 or 1976.^[1] His father is Michael White.^[2]

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]