Failed State: The Sunday Times Bestselling Investigation Into Why Britain is Struggling

About

Why does Britain, one of the worlds oldest democracies, seem unable to run itself effectively? Why are our schools, hospitals and public services locked in permanent crisis, while governments lurch from scandal to scandal and policy to policy?

In this gripping talk, Sam Freedman, former Senior Adviser to Education Secretary Michael Gove and now one of the UKs most trusted political analysts, lays bare the systemic failures behind Britains broken state. Drawing on his Sunday Times bestselling book Failed State, described as a calm, clear and utterly compelling account of whats gone wrong (The Sunday Times) and required reading for anyone who cares about the future of Britain (The Guardian), Freedman dissects the culture of short-termism, chaos and incompetence that has hollowed out our institutions.

With forensic clarity and insider experience from the heart of Whitehall, Freedman explores how decades of neglect, partisan tribalism and constant ministerial churn have left Britain in disarray. Yet this is not a counsel of despair - Freedman also outlines how a renewed focus on professionalism, accountability and long-term vision could begin to rebuild trust and capacity in public life.

Sam Freedman is a political commentator, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government, and a regular columnist for the Financial Times. He has advised at the highest levels of government and is renowned for his sharp, accessible insight into how politics really works.A Q&A session will follow.