What Keir Starmer’s new chief of staff needs to know

Every conversation is a focus group if treated properly. As the Greek philosopher Epictetus said: “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”

By John McTernan

Photo by Hollie Adams/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Keir Starmer has appointed Sam White, a special adviser in Gordon Brown’s government, as his chief of staff. Now conference season is over, political strategist John McTernan has a few words of wisdom for him.

Congratulations, Sam – you’ve got through conference! A baptism of fire, and the usual rollercoaster from the turmoil of daily NEC meetings to the triumph of the leader’s speech!