Sam Freedman
@samfr.bsky.social
Writes the most popular UK Substack (samf.substack.com)
Author of Sunday Times bestselling book "Failed State". (An Economist and Financial Times Book of the Year for 2024). Working on book two.
Senior fellow: Institute for Government
Author of Sunday Times bestselling book "Failed State". (An Economist and Financial Times Book of the Year for 2024). Working on book two.
Senior fellow: Institute for Government
Pinned
After Starmer
What would Labour do differently under a new leader?
open.substack.com
New post:
"After Starmer"
The PM will go at some point - even if it drags out for a while - so what would a new leader actually do differently?
And would it be enough to change anything?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/a...
"After Starmer"
The PM will go at some point - even if it drags out for a while - so what would a new leader actually do differently?
And would it be enough to change anything?
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/a...
Three different hospitals this week for three different issues (kidneys, crohns, and broken shoulder).
Getting all my taxes back purely through health-related disasters.
Getting all my taxes back purely through health-related disasters.
February 12, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Three different hospitals this week for three different issues (kidneys, crohns, and broken shoulder).
Getting all my taxes back purely through health-related disasters.
Getting all my taxes back purely through health-related disasters.
It's quite extraordinary that they thought any of these people would do a better job than Karen Pierce, who did not need to be replaced! It wasn't like there was a vacancy that had to be filled.
This piece in The Spectator by @shippersunbound.bsky.social has an absolutely mad detail that I was not previously aware of spectator.com/article/auth...
February 12, 2026 at 1:16 PM
It's quite extraordinary that they thought any of these people would do a better job than Karen Pierce, who did not need to be replaced! It wasn't like there was a vacancy that had to be filled.
Reposted by Sam Freedman
A ‘rare combination of extremist views, sycophancy and bureaucratic skill’
I’m late to this very good (but dark) profile of key driver of the US administration Stephen Miller by @samfr.bsky.social
samf.substack.com/p/the-most-d...
I’m late to this very good (but dark) profile of key driver of the US administration Stephen Miller by @samfr.bsky.social
samf.substack.com/p/the-most-d...
The most dangerous man in America
Understanding Stephen Miller: “Trump’s Prime Minister”
samf.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:35 PM
A ‘rare combination of extremist views, sycophancy and bureaucratic skill’
I’m late to this very good (but dark) profile of key driver of the US administration Stephen Miller by @samfr.bsky.social
samf.substack.com/p/the-most-d...
I’m late to this very good (but dark) profile of key driver of the US administration Stephen Miller by @samfr.bsky.social
samf.substack.com/p/the-most-d...
This, um, feels unwise.
🔥 "Government source" to The Times hits back at Simon MacDonald over Antonia Romeo:
"This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into the mess it finds itself in today."
"This is a desperate attempt from a senior male official whose time has passed but spent their career getting Britain into the mess it finds itself in today."
February 12, 2026 at 9:37 AM
This, um, feels unwise.
Reposted by Sam Freedman
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
Is Ukraine's position improving?
What's Russia's breaking point?
Is House of Dynamite accurate?
Answering your questions - part one
Topics covered pictured below.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/is-ukraine...
Is Ukraine's position improving?
What's Russia's breaking point?
Is House of Dynamite accurate?
Answering your questions - part one
Topics covered pictured below.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/is-ukraine...
February 11, 2026 at 9:40 AM
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
Is Ukraine's position improving?
What's Russia's breaking point?
Is House of Dynamite accurate?
Answering your questions - part one
Topics covered pictured below.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/is-ukraine...
Is Ukraine's position improving?
What's Russia's breaking point?
Is House of Dynamite accurate?
Answering your questions - part one
Topics covered pictured below.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/is-ukraine...
This is an extraordinary interview in which the former FCDO perm sec basically tells No 10 not to appoint Antonia Romeo to be cab sec, and that they should talk to him about her record.
‘Due diligence vitally important’ in next top civil servant appointment – Lord McDonald
www.channel4.com/news/due-dil...
www.channel4.com/news/due-dil...
‘Due diligence vitally important’ in next top civil servant appointment – Lord McDonald
Another high profile departure from No 10 in the wake of the Mandelson scandal is due to be Britain's top civil servant.
www.channel4.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:42 PM
This is an extraordinary interview in which the former FCDO perm sec basically tells No 10 not to appoint Antonia Romeo to be cab sec, and that they should talk to him about her record.
Well done to Sky for correcting this bit of ignorance.
As shown extensively in the Epstein files there's plenty of proof that being rich doesn't mean you have any great insights into the world.
As shown extensively in the Epstein files there's plenty of proof that being rich doesn't mean you have any great insights into the world.
February 11, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Well done to Sky for correcting this bit of ignorance.
As shown extensively in the Epstein files there's plenty of proof that being rich doesn't mean you have any great insights into the world.
As shown extensively in the Epstein files there's plenty of proof that being rich doesn't mean you have any great insights into the world.
Reposted by Sam Freedman
Thanks to readers for so many questions - more than can be answered in one post. Topics covered include implications of Ukraine being able to counterattack now, why Putin keeps on going, threats to UK, China, arms control, and House of Dynamite (£/free trial), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/i...
Is Ukraine's position improving? What's Russia's breaking point? Is House of Dynamite accurate?
Answering your questions (part one)
open.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Thanks to readers for so many questions - more than can be answered in one post. Topics covered include implications of Ukraine being able to counterattack now, why Putin keeps on going, threats to UK, China, arms control, and House of Dynamite (£/free trial), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/i...
The problem with this argument is Sanchez has been PM in Spain since 2018; Friedericksen in Denmark since 2019; Albanese in Australia since 2022 etc...
And they have social media in all those countries.
And they have social media in all those countries.
February 11, 2026 at 11:25 AM
The problem with this argument is Sanchez has been PM in Spain since 2018; Friedericksen in Denmark since 2019; Albanese in Australia since 2022 etc...
And they have social media in all those countries.
And they have social media in all those countries.
Just watched the end of the most insane T20 game I've ever seen between SA and Afghanistan. Went to two super overs.
Afghanistan needed 24 off four balls in the second one, then hit three sixes but lost it on the final ball.
Afghanistan needed 24 off four balls in the second one, then hit three sixes but lost it on the final ball.
February 11, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Just watched the end of the most insane T20 game I've ever seen between SA and Afghanistan. Went to two super overs.
Afghanistan needed 24 off four balls in the second one, then hit three sixes but lost it on the final ball.
Afghanistan needed 24 off four balls in the second one, then hit three sixes but lost it on the final ball.
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
Is Ukraine's position improving?
What's Russia's breaking point?
Is House of Dynamite accurate?
Answering your questions - part one
Topics covered pictured below.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/is-ukraine...
Is Ukraine's position improving?
What's Russia's breaking point?
Is House of Dynamite accurate?
Answering your questions - part one
Topics covered pictured below.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/is-ukraine...
February 11, 2026 at 9:40 AM
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
Is Ukraine's position improving?
What's Russia's breaking point?
Is House of Dynamite accurate?
Answering your questions - part one
Topics covered pictured below.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/is-ukraine...
Is Ukraine's position improving?
What's Russia's breaking point?
Is House of Dynamite accurate?
Answering your questions - part one
Topics covered pictured below.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/is-ukraine...
Reposted by Sam Freedman
a society losing the plot in real time
February 10, 2026 at 9:11 PM
a society losing the plot in real time
Reposted by Sam Freedman
allllll together now:
BAN THE PERVERT GLASSES
BAN THE PERVERT GLASSES
Social media is awash with videos of men filming themselves approaching women in public spaces and attempting to flirt. In many cases, the videos are filmed and uploaded without the women’s consent. https://cnn.it/4qtIsvB
February 10, 2026 at 4:50 PM
allllll together now:
BAN THE PERVERT GLASSES
BAN THE PERVERT GLASSES
That nasty media again planting paedophiles all over the place.
Former Number 10 comms chief Matthew Doyle – who was recently given a peerage by Keir Starmer – has the whip suspended over his ties to a padeophile.
No, not *that* paedophile. A different one.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
No, not *that* paedophile. A different one.
inews.co.uk/news/politic...
Starmer's ex-comms chief suspended from Labour over links to sex offender
Matthew Doyle, who now sits in the House of Lords, has had the Labour whip withdrawn
inews.co.uk
February 10, 2026 at 5:07 PM
That nasty media again planting paedophiles all over the place.
There's huge potential for further scandal and embarrasment here.
NEW
Three reasons why the Mandelson disclosure exercise will be a shock for the government
Ministers and officials usually are in control of disclosure exercises - but here they will not be - and why that matters
A detailed post by me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/three-reas...
Three reasons why the Mandelson disclosure exercise will be a shock for the government
Ministers and officials usually are in control of disclosure exercises - but here they will not be - and why that matters
A detailed post by me:
emptycity.substack.com/p/three-reas...
February 10, 2026 at 11:25 AM
There's huge potential for further scandal and embarrasment here.
Yes this is my question too.
Major news for local government finance. Great that there's now more certainty - without action it's likely the majority of councils would have faced 'bankruptcy' in 28/29.
But unclear (at least to me) where the £5bn is coming from. For context that's about 8% of the core schools funding for 25/26
But unclear (at least to me) where the £5bn is coming from. For context that's about 8% of the core schools funding for 25/26
Breaking: The government has pledged write off 90 per cent of councils’ historic SEND deficits – estimated to be worth £5 billion
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/government-to-write-off-90-of-councils-send-deficits/
February 10, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Yes this is my question too.
Reposted by Sam Freedman
If Starmer wants a reset - and not yet another U-turn when the parliamentary party balks at a policy - here is his chance.
300,000 children face 10-year wait for settled status under UK plans, says IPPR
The consultation closes on Thursday. What is being proposed is dreadful. Can I encourage you to engage with the consultation and put your dissent on record?
The consultation closes on Thursday. What is being proposed is dreadful. Can I encourage you to engage with the consultation and put your dissent on record?
February 10, 2026 at 7:23 AM
If Starmer wants a reset - and not yet another U-turn when the parliamentary party balks at a policy - here is his chance.
Getting really tired of "this is all a media concoction"...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
February 9, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Getting really tired of "this is all a media concoction"...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.
I mean come on...
A Scottish party leader calls for an embattled PM to quit but his cabinet rallies round and backbench MPs bang desks to show their support....
February 9, 2026 at 10:01 PM
A Scottish party leader calls for an embattled PM to quit but his cabinet rallies round and backbench MPs bang desks to show their support....
If everyone apart from the person who appointed them all leaves then that will sort it.
EXCL: Chris Wormald, the most senior civil servant in Downing Street, is negotiating his exit as part of a wider shakeup of Keir Starmer’s operation after dramatic day - @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Top civil servant could become third key No 10 departure in days
Exclusive: Cabinet secretary Chris Wormald is expected to follow Morgan McSweeney and Tim Allan out the door
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:44 PM
If everyone apart from the person who appointed them all leaves then that will sort it.
Publishing Whatsapps with my wife for full transparency
* I need to pick up something for dinner
* I also need to book airport parking
* No I can't be out that night because she's already out
* I need to pick up something for dinner
* I also need to book airport parking
* No I can't be out that night because she's already out
February 9, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Publishing Whatsapps with my wife for full transparency
* I need to pick up something for dinner
* I also need to book airport parking
* No I can't be out that night because she's already out
* I need to pick up something for dinner
* I also need to book airport parking
* No I can't be out that night because she's already out
Ah we're at the "cabinet ministers tweeting the same message of support" stage of the endgame.
February 9, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Ah we're at the "cabinet ministers tweeting the same message of support" stage of the endgame.
Wonder if maybe now people will stop replying to my posts saying Starmer is going to go telling me I'm merely a victim of Westminster gossip and it is in fact all going well.
February 9, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Wonder if maybe now people will stop replying to my posts saying Starmer is going to go telling me I'm merely a victim of Westminster gossip and it is in fact all going well.
Particularly enjoying the articles explaining why he is a serious candidate while misspelling his name.
people on here will tweet anything. "Al Carns is a potential Labour leadership dark horse". No he isn't. That isn't true.
February 9, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Particularly enjoying the articles explaining why he is a serious candidate while misspelling his name.