Rachel Sylvester
@rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Political editor of The Observer. Email: Rachel.sylvester@observer.co.uk
“A process of intimidation that the BBC’s supporters have long feared has been playing out behind closed doors is now unfolding in plain sight” - @theobserveruk.bsky.social on the “political interference” that led to the departure of two most senior figures at the BBC observer.co.uk/opinion-and-...
The Observer view: political interference at the BBC | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 12:01 PM
“A process of intimidation that the BBC’s supporters have long feared has been playing out behind closed doors is now unfolding in plain sight” - @theobserveruk.bsky.social on the “political interference” that led to the departure of two most senior figures at the BBC observer.co.uk/opinion-and-...
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
An important call for more radical education exam reform from leading scientists.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Broken education system is holding back the young, top scientists warn PM | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
An important call for more radical education exam reform from leading scientists.
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Britain’s top scientists have written to the PM warning that the education system is holding back children and the country and expressing concern about the timidity of the government’s curriculum and assessment review @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Broken education system is holding back the young, top scientists warn PM | The Observer
observer.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Britain’s top scientists have written to the PM warning that the education system is holding back children and the country and expressing concern about the timidity of the government’s curriculum and assessment review @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
‘This is a politics built on authenticity, straight talking and straight action’
✍️ Zack Polanski on Zohran Mamdani
https://bit.ly/49CGAeW
✍️ Zack Polanski on Zohran Mamdani
https://bit.ly/49CGAeW
Zack Polanski: ‘Hope has just won in New York – it can win here too' | The Observer
opinion and ideas
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 7:17 PM
‘This is a politics built on authenticity, straight talking and straight action’
✍️ Zack Polanski on Zohran Mamdani
https://bit.ly/49CGAeW
✍️ Zack Polanski on Zohran Mamdani
https://bit.ly/49CGAeW
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
This article says what needs to be said about the appalling Curriculum and (forgotten) Assessment review. Well done @rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Bit.ly/4oqbHio
Bit.ly/4oqbHio
The government has flunked its curriculum review
Keir Starmer promised radical change to an outdated education system that fails our children and our employers. This is not it
Bit.ly
November 5, 2025 at 5:54 PM
This article says what needs to be said about the appalling Curriculum and (forgotten) Assessment review. Well done @rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Bit.ly/4oqbHio
Bit.ly/4oqbHio
The government’s curriculum and assessment review is a huge missed opportunity but it’s not too late for the PM to champion radical reform. My piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social on why education should be Keir Starmer’s overriding mission observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
The government has flunked its curriculum review
Keir Starmer promised radical change to an outdated education system that fails our children and our employers. This is not it
observer.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The government’s curriculum and assessment review is a huge missed opportunity but it’s not too late for the PM to champion radical reform. My piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social on why education should be Keir Starmer’s overriding mission observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
NEW: At least five of England’s top-rated maternity units have been forced to turn pregnant women away because of “significant and unanticipated increases in demand", despite birth rates falling across the country.
@theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
@theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Top hospitals turn away pregnant women too scared to use ...
Low care ratings at maternity wards across the country have put immense strain on a small number of units
observer.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 1:40 PM
NEW: At least five of England’s top-rated maternity units have been forced to turn pregnant women away because of “significant and unanticipated increases in demand", despite birth rates falling across the country.
@theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
@theobserveruk.bsky.social
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
Also in the paper this weekend:
@rachelsylvester.bsky.social on how to fix the fact that the NHS is spending almost as much on clinical negligence claims related to maternity care as it does on maternity care itself
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
@rachelsylvester.bsky.social on how to fix the fact that the NHS is spending almost as much on clinical negligence claims related to maternity care as it does on maternity care itself
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Clinical negligence costs NHS almost the same as it spend...
Maternal death rate has risen 42% in a decade, while ombudsman reports a culture of cover-ups
observer.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Also in the paper this weekend:
@rachelsylvester.bsky.social on how to fix the fact that the NHS is spending almost as much on clinical negligence claims related to maternity care as it does on maternity care itself
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
@rachelsylvester.bsky.social on how to fix the fact that the NHS is spending almost as much on clinical negligence claims related to maternity care as it does on maternity care itself
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
It’s shocking that the NHS spends almost as much on clinical negligence claims related to maternity care as it does on maternity care itself - my piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social on the crisis in maternity services and how to fix it observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Clinical negligence costs NHS almost the same as it spend...
Maternal death rate has risen 42% in a decade, while ombudsman reports a culture of cover-ups
observer.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 8:18 AM
It’s shocking that the NHS spends almost as much on clinical negligence claims related to maternity care as it does on maternity care itself - my piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social on the crisis in maternity services and how to fix it observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
“Silence is not being neutral - it’s an act of collusion” former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman tells @theobserveruk.bsky.social as calls grow for (former Prince) Andrew to testify before a US congressional committee observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Stripped of his titles, Andrew faces calls to testify to ...
Senior UK politicians join American panel in urging former prince to help bring justice for abused women
observer.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 11:33 AM
“Silence is not being neutral - it’s an act of collusion” former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman tells @theobserveruk.bsky.social as calls grow for (former Prince) Andrew to testify before a US congressional committee observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
This is great from @peterhyman.bsky.social . The government mantra should be “education education education” not “immigration immigration immigration”. Change is urgently needed and it’s what genuinely animates Starmer peterhyman21.substack.com/p/make-educa...
Make education the number one priority again
Bold curriculum and assessment reform is essential if we want to thrive in a fast-changing world
peterhyman21.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:45 AM
This is great from @peterhyman.bsky.social . The government mantra should be “education education education” not “immigration immigration immigration”. Change is urgently needed and it’s what genuinely animates Starmer peterhyman21.substack.com/p/make-educa...
I love this fascinating detective story by @vanessathorpe.bsky.social that reveals the identity of The Girl With The Pearl Earring observer.co.uk/culture/art/... @theobserveruk.bsky.social
Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring finally gets a name
Historian Andrew Graham-Dixon has a radical new theory about the life and beliefs of the Dutch master
observer.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 12:11 PM
I love this fascinating detective story by @vanessathorpe.bsky.social that reveals the identity of The Girl With The Pearl Earring observer.co.uk/culture/art/... @theobserveruk.bsky.social
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
@rachelsylvester.bsky.social thank you. There is so little to be cheerful about, but your piece on Prince William brightened my Sunday observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
As his uncle is banished, the heir prepares for a downsiz...
Prince William has made clear he does not seek the historic trappings or grandeur of a life lived in the royal spotlight
observer.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 8:10 AM
@rachelsylvester.bsky.social thank you. There is so little to be cheerful about, but your piece on Prince William brightened my Sunday observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
“Everything must change so that everything can stay the same” - how the mantra of The Leopard drives the future King. My piece on Prince William for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
As his uncle is banished, the heir prepares for a downsiz...
Prince William has made clear he does not seek the historic trappings or grandeur of a life lived in the royal spotlight
observer.co.uk
October 19, 2025 at 8:06 AM
“Everything must change so that everything can stay the same” - how the mantra of The Leopard drives the future King. My piece on Prince William for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
From secure school doors that break to prison windows that melt, something is going very wrong with Whitehall procurement - my piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Faulty towers: Whitehall loses its grip on the £400bn bus...
Whether it’s doors for high-security schools or windows for jails, bureaucrats are likely to bungle the order
observer.co.uk
October 13, 2025 at 6:44 AM
From secure school doors that break to prison windows that melt, something is going very wrong with Whitehall procurement - my piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Labour is axing funding for the International Baccalaureate in state schools - seems an odd decision that will only widen the gap between state and private sector observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Labour cuts funding for state school IB diplomas
The sudden decision may mean the IB program is only available in private schools
observer.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Labour is axing funding for the International Baccalaureate in state schools - seems an odd decision that will only widen the gap between state and private sector observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
As Kemi Badenoch confirms plans to pull out of the ECHR a reminder that much of this debate is driven by myths and misinformation observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Misinformation and myth: the UK’s phoney war over human r...
The debate over the future of the European Convention on Human Rights will shape conference season and beyond
observer.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
As Kemi Badenoch confirms plans to pull out of the ECHR a reminder that much of this debate is driven by myths and misinformation observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
In focus groups not a single person can think of a single thing Kemi Badenoch has said or done as leader - my piece for @observeruk on why the real risk to the Tories is irrelevance observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Kemi who? Time is running out for Badenoch ahead of Tory ...
As MPs gather in Manchester, many believe that only a change in leadership can save the party from extinction
observer.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 12:02 PM
In focus groups not a single person can think of a single thing Kemi Badenoch has said or done as leader - my piece for @observeruk on why the real risk to the Tories is irrelevance observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Tony of Arabia - why Blair is still trying to make the impossible possible in the Middle East. My piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/interna...
Blair’s peace mission in Gaza aims to make the impossible...
The former UK leader is the first name on Trump’s new ‘Board of Peace’. And some say he is the most crucial
observer.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Tony of Arabia - why Blair is still trying to make the impossible possible in the Middle East. My piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/interna...
“There are external countries like Russia manipulating algorithms, using chatbots and other instruments to stir conflict and division” - I spoke to David Lammy about polarisation, the rise of the far right and the Labour leadership for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/politic...
David Lammy: ‘I was spat at by skinheads but the flag-wav...
The deputy PM says he is troubled ordinary people have lined up behind far-right agitator Tommy Robinson
observer.co.uk
September 28, 2025 at 6:43 AM
“There are external countries like Russia manipulating algorithms, using chatbots and other instruments to stir conflict and division” - I spoke to David Lammy about polarisation, the rise of the far right and the Labour leadership for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Harassment, groping and abuse in the operating theatre - the sexual predator surgeons getting away with a slap on the wrist. My piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social with thanks to the brave women who spoke to me observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Hostile, degrading, offensive: women demand harsher penal...
Anger as consultant who touched a female colleague under the operating table returns to work after just a year
observer.co.uk
September 20, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Harassment, groping and abuse in the operating theatre - the sexual predator surgeons getting away with a slap on the wrist. My piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social with thanks to the brave women who spoke to me observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
Education is the biggest divide now in politics in the US and UK. Those who don’t go to university too often feel second class. This is fuelling populism. And it has to change. @rachelsylvester.bsky.social @alisonpeacock.bsky.social @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/peterhym...
open.substack.com/pub/peterhym...
The education divide that’s fuelling populism
Without high status career pathways for all, we will not heal a divided Britain
open.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Education is the biggest divide now in politics in the US and UK. Those who don’t go to university too often feel second class. This is fuelling populism. And it has to change. @rachelsylvester.bsky.social @alisonpeacock.bsky.social @alastaircampbell2.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/peterhym...
open.substack.com/pub/peterhym...
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
Last month Danny Kruger met JD Vance, Thomas Skinner and James Orr for a BBQ in the Cotswolds
He told me: “[Orr’s] sympathies are with Reform but I share a lot of the same agenda, and we are talking at the level of ideas and policy – which party happens to own the conversation is secondary."
He told me: “[Orr’s] sympathies are with Reform but I share a lot of the same agenda, and we are talking at the level of ideas and policy – which party happens to own the conversation is secondary."
September 15, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Last month Danny Kruger met JD Vance, Thomas Skinner and James Orr for a BBQ in the Cotswolds
He told me: “[Orr’s] sympathies are with Reform but I share a lot of the same agenda, and we are talking at the level of ideas and policy – which party happens to own the conversation is secondary."
He told me: “[Orr’s] sympathies are with Reform but I share a lot of the same agenda, and we are talking at the level of ideas and policy – which party happens to own the conversation is secondary."
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
Myths and misinformation - my piece on the political battle over the ECHR for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
‘A useful political scapegoat’: how human rights play out...
The future of the European Convention on Human Rights is a divisive issue for both the left and right at Westminster
observer.co.uk
September 13, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Myths and misinformation - my piece on the political battle over the ECHR for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Why Labour should not forget Peter Mandelson’s political legacy despite his personal flaws - my piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/opinion...
Starmer can forget Mandelson and his flaws but not what h...
The former ambassador’s behaviour is worthy of exile – but his policy proposals deserve a second chance
observer.co.uk
September 14, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Why Labour should not forget Peter Mandelson’s political legacy despite his personal flaws - my piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/opinion...