Reshaping the state needs a real plan

Reshaping the state needs a real plan

From No Sacred Cows by The Political Power Works

March 23, 2026 · 46 min · Season 1 · Episode 12

About this episode

Sam Freedman discusses the need for Labour in the UK to develop a concrete plan for reshaping the state amidst criticisms of inefficiency.

Political analyst, writer and former government adviser Sam Freedman steps into the cow shed this week to look at how Labour in the UK needs to continue to realise that competence and good intentions will be enough to change the state. He lays out how some criticisms from the political right about state inefficiency are valid and need engaging with and how the government must move on from naivety towards a real plan on reshaping the state, if it wants to deliver. Sam talks about decentralisation away from Westminster as a potential remedy the government should pick up - as well as boosting the Prime Minister’s office and creating stronger ministerial offices. We also hear from Sam, and reader Katy, about our last episode on progressive education, which got the comments section livened up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Guest: Sam Freedman

Topics covered

  • UK politics
  • state efficiency
  • decentralisation
  • government planning
  • Labour party

Keywords

  • Labour
  • state reshaping
  • government efficiency
  • decentralisation
  • political analysis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Labour, Westminster

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