rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester
@rachelsylvester.bsky.social
15K followers 320 following 140 posts
Political editor of The Observer. Email: [email protected]
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 1d
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
2 4 9
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 3d
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
11 75 180
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 3d
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
1 9
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 3d
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
1 1
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 10d
“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
1 4 11
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 18d
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
2 32 60
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
peterhyman.bsky.social
peterhyman.bsky.social @peterhyman.bsky.social · 20d
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...
The education divide that’s fuelling populism
Without high status career pathways for all, we will not heal a divided Britain
open.substack.com
1 5
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
catneilan.bsky.social
Cat Neilan @catneilan.bsky.social · 23d
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."
5 12 25
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 24d
This is such an important point . Where does the dark matter go next or does it expand ?
2 3
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 24d
I’m interested to know what you and @robfordmancs.bsky.social think but worth remembering that Labour had roughly the same majority in the red wall in 2005 as in 1997
1 2
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 25d
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
2 16 37
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 24d
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
4 1
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 25d
Including how the government plans a “twin track” approach with legislation within weeks to clarify interpretation and diplomatic drive for wider long term reform
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · 25d
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
2 16 37
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
theobserveruk.bsky.social
The Observer @theobserveruk.bsky.social · 25d
‘A useful political scapegoat’: how human rights play out in the UK

The future of the European Convention on Human Rights is a divisive issue for both the left and right at Westminster.

@rachelsylvester.bsky.social

bit.ly/42v4Aw9
‘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
bit.ly
1 5
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Sep 7
How Keironomics could reshape the state - my piece for @observer observer.co.uk/news/politic...
‘Keironomics’ marks start of Whitehall reshaping of state
The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, was the still point of the turning world in cabinet but, around her, economic and social policy is shifting.
observer.co.uk
1 1 3
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Sep 7
A cabinet of the “fixers and doers” - my piece on the reshuffle for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/politic...
Keir Starmer ushers in a new cabinet of trusted ‘fixers...
The prime minister’s reshuffle signals a clear determination to tackle issues such as immigration and welfare by putting the ministers he considers most ...
observer.co.uk
2 4
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Sep 1
With Number 10 reshuffle underway, some good tips for the new Downing Street team here ! It’s going to be an interesting substack to follow
peterhyman.bsky.social
peterhyman.bsky.social @peterhyman.bsky.social · Sep 1
Excited to have launched a new Substack - Changing the Story, where I’ll be writing about politics, education, strategy and a few other things. My first post is about what Labour should do this autumn to regain the momentum. Please subscribe and share. open.substack.com/pub/peterhym...
Changing the story
The five essentials to get Labour back on track this autumn
open.substack.com
1 4
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Aug 31
Thousands of Afghan asylum seekers - including almost 400 women and girls - are stuck in a Catch-22 situation. I spent all week asking the home office what the plan was for them and nobody could tell me. It’s a genuine policy dilemma - does anyone have an answer ? observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Can’t stay, can’t return: thousands of Afghans stuck in l...
As Home Office asylum refusals rise, Britain’s lack of diplomatic relations with the Taliban puts the would-be refugees in a catch-22 situation
observer.co.uk
5 7
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
aladdinnoons.bsky.social
AladdinNoons @aladdinnoons.bsky.social · Aug 25
What a really positive, heartening story from @rachelsylvester.bsky.social
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Aug 20
What happens when one of the poorest parts of the country has jobs guaranteed for 60 years? I went to Barrow to investigate the government’s defence industrial strategy observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Labour’s defence pledge breathes new life back into Barrow
The surge in security spending means one of Britain’s poorer towns has been guaranteed jobs for the next 60 years – and locals are beginning to reap the ...
observer.co.uk
1 7
Reposted by Rachel Sylvester
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Aug 20
What happens when one of the poorest parts of the country has jobs guaranteed for 60 years? I went to Barrow to investigate the government’s defence industrial strategy observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Labour’s defence pledge breathes new life back into Barrow
The surge in security spending means one of Britain’s poorer towns has been guaranteed jobs for the next 60 years – and locals are beginning to reap the ...
observer.co.uk
2 25 57
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Aug 20
What happens when one of the poorest parts of the country has jobs guaranteed for 60 years? I went to Barrow to investigate the government’s defence industrial strategy observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Labour’s defence pledge breathes new life back into Barrow
The surge in security spending means one of Britain’s poorer towns has been guaranteed jobs for the next 60 years – and locals are beginning to reap the ...
observer.co.uk
2 25 57
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Aug 10
It’s an extraordinary story - listen to the podcast here podcasts.apple.com/dk/podcast/t...
The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates
Documentary Podcast · Weekly series · Introducing...The Lab Detective Kathleen Folbigg experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths...
podcasts.apple.com
1
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Aug 10
Kathleen Folbigg, the mother falsely accused of killing her children who featured in @theobserveruk.bsky.social podcast The Lab Detective has received compensation. She was convicted in 2003 and spent 20 years in jail before genomics proved her innocence observer.co.uk/news/interna...
‘It’s not enough’: anger at payout to mother wrongfully j...
Award amounts to less than £1m after DNA breakthrough ends 20 years in prison
observer.co.uk
1 3 5
rachelsylvester.bsky.social
Rachel Sylvester @rachelsylvester.bsky.social · Aug 10
How AI is changing education - my piece for @theobserveruk.bsky.social observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Question: who is marking your GCSE? Answer: an AI examiner
Traditional exams may soon become a thing of the past as bots help assess pupils’ achievement in education revolution
observer.co.uk
5 2