Sam Freedman
@samfr.bsky.social
Writes the most popular UK politics Substack (samf.substack.com)
Sunday Times bestselling book "Failed State" out now. (An Economist and Financial Times Book of the Year for 2024).
Senior fellow: Institute for Government
Sunday Times bestselling book "Failed State" out now. (An Economist and Financial Times Book of the Year for 2024).
Senior fellow: Institute for Government
Pinned
The Reality Trap
Reform's struggles in local government
open.substack.com
New post just out:
"The Reality Trap"
On Reform's struggles running councils.
What it tells us about how they'd fare if they won a general elections. And about how broken our system of local government is.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
"The Reality Trap"
On Reform's struggles running councils.
What it tells us about how they'd fare if they won a general elections. And about how broken our system of local government is.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Reposted by Sam Freedman
This story should be covered waaaaayy more than it is.
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
Nicolas Guillou, French ICC judge sanctioned by the US: 'You are effectively blacklisted by much of the world's banking system'
Six judges and three prosecutors at the International Criminal Court have been sanctioned by the Trump administration. In an interview with Le Monde, Guillou discusses the impact of these measures on ...
www.lemonde.fr
November 24, 2025 at 8:13 PM
This story should be covered waaaaayy more than it is.
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
When I was in govt we used to prep ministers for select committees by doing trial sessions. And we were so much better at it than MPs. They almost never ask the difficult questions.
One frustration of watching MPs ask questions for an hour is that they're not very good at it. Prescott has not been asked about the fairly glaring errors in his own report – that *it misquoted Trump in exactly the same way it says Panorama did*
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
www.thenewworld.co.uk/james-ball-e...
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Prescott himself doctored Trump quote in his anti-BBC report
A report alleging Panorama broadcast misleading Trump quotes contains misleading quotes itself
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 4:58 PM
When I was in govt we used to prep ministers for select committees by doing trial sessions. And we were so much better at it than MPs. They almost never ask the difficult questions.
I'd like to see the response to this if the question added "if that that means universities have less money to spend on UK students".
With Rachel Reeves reportedly set to apply a new tax on tuition fees paid by overseas students, most Britons support such a move at the previously mooted level of 6%
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
Support: 57%
Oppose: 18%
yougov.co.uk/topics/socie...
November 24, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I'd like to see the response to this if the question added "if that that means universities have less money to spend on UK students".
Reposted by Sam Freedman
Again looks to have called it right (contrary to most media narratives), & incidentally revealing about how dysfunctional the US Government is.
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
How should Ukraine respond?
And more details on the "peace plan"
samf.substack.com
November 24, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Again looks to have called it right (contrary to most media narratives), & incidentally revealing about how dysfunctional the US Government is.
Really interesting post - captures a lot about the dysfunctionalities of modern government.
For people who leave their nerdy public sector reform long-reads to the weeekend… 👇👀
Are legacy mentalities from comms, political strategy and trad policy dragging government down?
Are legacy mentalities from comms, political strategy and trad policy dragging government down?
Are a small number of legacy disciplines dragging the whole of government down? A provocation:
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
Government seems increasingly unable to cope with the pace and complexity of today's world. Why? 1/n
medium.com/@jamestplunk...
Government seems increasingly unable to cope with the pace and complexity of today's world. Why? 1/n
November 24, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Really interesting post - captures a lot about the dysfunctionalities of modern government.
As I said at the time this was the landmine in the immigration white paper. It will cost unis much more than they're getting from inflationary rises in domestic fees.
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 23, 2025 at 10:27 PM
As I said at the time this was the landmine in the immigration white paper. It will cost unis much more than they're getting from inflationary rises in domestic fees.
Reposted by Sam Freedman
Scrapping the two-child limit *is* welfare reform. Defining ‘reform’ solely as ‘cut’ is one reason why it’s proved so difficult
November 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Scrapping the two-child limit *is* welfare reform. Defining ‘reform’ solely as ‘cut’ is one reason why it’s proved so difficult
Reposted by Sam Freedman
What a shame that no one in the White House seems to read @ldfreedman.bsky.social’s analysis. They have a much better idea of what’s going on if they did.
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
How should Ukraine respond?
And more details on the "peace plan"
samf.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:02 PM
What a shame that no one in the White House seems to read @ldfreedman.bsky.social’s analysis. They have a much better idea of what’s going on if they did.
Reposted by Sam Freedman
"my mother died in labour, turning blue in the process, and you want to help elect a Blue Labour government?!?!"
There are some truly unhinged bits in the piece about Glasman, as to be expected when dealing with Glasman, but seriously what the actual? That's...one hell of a conflation of terminology.
November 23, 2025 at 4:06 PM
"my mother died in labour, turning blue in the process, and you want to help elect a Blue Labour government?!?!"
I found 2024 incredibly frustrating. Because I (and lots of other people) kept explaining that the fiscal position of all parties was literally impossible but broadcast (in particular) was never willing to go that far.
The fact that in both 2019 and 2024, the winning party did so with a set of manifesto promises that could not be kept and dissolved upon contact with actual office is something that as an industry we should be much more bothered by than we are.
November 23, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I found 2024 incredibly frustrating. Because I (and lots of other people) kept explaining that the fiscal position of all parties was literally impossible but broadcast (in particular) was never willing to go that far.
Reposted by Sam Freedman
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
How should Ukraine respond?
And more details on the "peace plan"
samf.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
Reposted by Sam Freedman
Ok this is big. Sen. Rounds iterates that, per Rubio, Thursday is a deadline to begin negotiations — not a deadline for Ukraine to accept the deal. There is no threat of revoking intelligence sharing or ending arms shipments from the administration, he says.
November 22, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Ok this is big. Sen. Rounds iterates that, per Rubio, Thursday is a deadline to begin negotiations — not a deadline for Ukraine to accept the deal. There is no threat of revoking intelligence sharing or ending arms shipments from the administration, he says.
Reposted by Sam Freedman
Kind of epic how many IR scholars and foreign policy journalists are just the easiest marks for geopolitical bullshit artists
November 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Kind of epic how many IR scholars and foreign policy journalists are just the easiest marks for geopolitical bullshit artists
I think if 24 people are dead it's more than "testing" a ceasefire.
BREAKING: At least 24 people are dead and 54 wounded after Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, testing the ceasefire that began in October, officials say.
Israel launches strikes in Gaza ceasefire's latest test as hospitals say 20 killed
Israel's military says it has launched new airstrikes against Hamas militants in Gaza, testing the ceasefire that began on October 10.
bit.ly
November 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I think if 24 people are dead it's more than "testing" a ceasefire.
Reposted by Sam Freedman
Hmmm - so tacking hard right on immigration led the Danish equivalent of Labour to lose the capital city for the first time in a century to a “Green-Left” party?
And all the seats on London’s borough councils are up next May? Including the progressive packed ones held by Labour for generations?
And all the seats on London’s borough councils are up next May? Including the progressive packed ones held by Labour for generations?
November 22, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Hmmm - so tacking hard right on immigration led the Danish equivalent of Labour to lose the capital city for the first time in a century to a “Green-Left” party?
And all the seats on London’s borough councils are up next May? Including the progressive packed ones held by Labour for generations?
And all the seats on London’s borough councils are up next May? Including the progressive packed ones held by Labour for generations?
Reposted by Sam Freedman
Essential reading, and an antidote to complete depression!
Another post on the new peace plan assessing how Ukraine should respond - don’t rush, don’t agree to a package and then wait for more Russians demands, keep up pressure, ask questions, cherry pick. (£/free trial), open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/h...?
How should Ukraine respond?
And more details on the "peace plan"
open.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Essential reading, and an antidote to complete depression!
Reposted by Sam Freedman
Do read this piece from @ldfreedman.bsky.social on the questions that Ukraine could ask, in response to the latest peace plan.
Oh, and sign up to the substack from @samfr.bsky.social.
Oh, and sign up to the substack from @samfr.bsky.social.
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
How should Ukraine respond?
And more details on the "peace plan"
samf.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Do read this piece from @ldfreedman.bsky.social on the questions that Ukraine could ask, in response to the latest peace plan.
Oh, and sign up to the substack from @samfr.bsky.social.
Oh, and sign up to the substack from @samfr.bsky.social.
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
How should Ukraine respond?
And more details on the "peace plan"
samf.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
On how Ukraine should respond to the US "peace plan" and looking at some new details that emerged over the last 24 hours.
(£/free trial)
samf.substack.com/p/how-should...
Never liked cricket anyway. Stupid sport.
November 22, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Never liked cricket anyway. Stupid sport.
Reposted by Sam Freedman
hahahahaha I knew it. "I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think he's gonna surprise some conservative people, actually. And some very liberal people he won't surprise because they already like him."
Trump in a room with a very charismatic person results in like half a day of Trump agreeing with everything that person said, so this has the potential to be very, very funny.
Trump says he’s meeting with “communist” Mamdani at the White House on Friday
November 21, 2025 at 8:56 PM
hahahahaha I knew it. "I feel very confident that he can do a very good job. I think he's gonna surprise some conservative people, actually. And some very liberal people he won't surprise because they already like him."
Reposted by Sam Freedman
The "dad meets his future son in law" vibe emanating from Trump/Mamdani is overwhelming
November 21, 2025 at 8:51 PM
The "dad meets his future son in law" vibe emanating from Trump/Mamdani is overwhelming
Reposted by Sam Freedman
Comment is Freed is one of the best value subscriptions out there. Highly recommended.
The Witkoff-Dmitriev plan is even more amateurish than I imagined. It favours Russia although does contain elements that Russia will not like. Premature leaking means that it is no more than work in progress. Here is an annotated version (This is free). open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...?
The Witkoff-Dmitriev peace plan annotated
We now know a bit more about the process which led to the new peace plan and we now have a copy of its contents, to which I will turn soon.
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Comment is Freed is one of the best value subscriptions out there. Highly recommended.
My post on Russia and its role in the rise of the radical right across Europe.
samf.substack.com/p/russia-and...
samf.substack.com/p/russia-and...
November 21, 2025 at 2:23 PM
My post on Russia and its role in the rise of the radical right across Europe.
samf.substack.com/p/russia-and...
samf.substack.com/p/russia-and...
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
Further analysis of the Witkoff/Dmitriev "peace" plan included an annotated version of the draft highlighting all the problems (for both Ukraine and Russia)
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Further analysis of the Witkoff/Dmitriev "peace" plan included an annotated version of the draft highlighting all the problems (for both Ukraine and Russia)
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
The Witkoff-Dmitriev peace plan annotated
We now know a bit more about the process which led to the new peace plan and we now have a copy of its contents, to which I will turn soon.
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:45 AM
New post from @ldfreedman.bsky.social
Further analysis of the Witkoff/Dmitriev "peace" plan included an annotated version of the draft highlighting all the problems (for both Ukraine and Russia)
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Further analysis of the Witkoff/Dmitriev "peace" plan included an annotated version of the draft highlighting all the problems (for both Ukraine and Russia)
(Free to read)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/t...
Get on the tube for 20 mins and Stokes takes another three wickets.
November 21, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Get on the tube for 20 mins and Stokes takes another three wickets.