Photo of Rachel Sylvester
Rachel Sylvester

Political Editor

Rachel Sylvester is Political Editor of The Observer. She was previously a columnist and interviewer at The Times and chair of The Times Education, Health and Crime and Justice Commissions. She was named political journalist of the year at the British Press Awards in 2016 and 2017.

Photo of Rachel Sylvester

Rachel Sylvester

Political Editor

Rachel Sylvester is Political Editor of The Observer. She was previously a columnist and interviewer at The Times and chair of The Times Education, Health and Crime and Justice Commissions. She was named political journalist of the year at the British Press Awards in 2016 and 2017.

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Eyes in the sky: gamers called up as army bets on march of the drones

    A military exercise on Salisbury Plain has seen unmanned aerial vehicles on the imaginary battlefield for the first time

    Mon, 24 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    William: The reluctant prince

    With Prince Harry in effective exile and Andrew disgraced, the Royal family is smaller than ever before and at a potential crisis point. Prince William has already signalled his intention to be a different kind of monarch to King Charles. But can the monarchy survive, and what is its purpose?

    28 min • S1, E332

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Zack Polanski: ‘People will have to find some other way to hurt me’

    On a stroll through London’s Stoke Newington, the Green Party leader talks about resilience, leaving Nato and why former Labour politicians are welcome to join his party

    Sat, 22 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Rachel Reeves preps the country for tax rises

    This week Chancellor Rachel Reeves gave an unexpected and unprecedented speech just three weeks before the government's annual Budget.   Writer: Poppy Bullard   Reporter: Rachel Sylvester   Producer: Poppy Bullard   Host: Casey Magloire   Episode photography: Joe Mee   Executive Producer: Rebecca Moore  

    8 min • S1, E1227

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Poor families of babies brain-damaged at birth given lower payouts than richer parents

    Wes Streeting promises to end ‘indefensible’ compensation scheme that links damages to income

    Thu, 20 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Why Tony Blair is part of Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza

    Talks are underway in Egypt to try and secure an end to Israel's war on Gaza. For the first time in two years the sides might agree to end the conflict. Under a US proposal former British PM, Tony Blair, who is a divisive figure in the region, would have a major role overseeing the peace process.   

    6 min • S1, E1207

  • Rachel Sylvester
    After the week No 10 lost control, warning that chaos is ‘probably fatal’ for Starmer

    A budget swerve and a disastrous briefing lead more Labour MPs to ask if a leadership change might be due sooner than expected

    Sun, 16 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Jimmy Kimmel’s cancellation reveals Trump’s authoritarianism

    What did we learn from Trump and Starmer's press conference? Why is Israel invading Gaza City? And what does the suspension of the Jimmy Kimmel show reveal about US press freedom?

    32 min • S1, E269

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Mahmood announces new ‘safe and legal routes’ for refugees – but hardline reforms are the focus

    The home secretary announces an effort to reduce the number of arrivals into the UK and increase the number of removals

    Sun, 16 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Police are under pressure to release the personal details of alleged criminals

    The Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has called on the police to release more information about alleged criminals, such as their immigration status and ethnicity.

    7 min • S1, E1167

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Thousands to lose the right to trial by jury in drive to fix court logjam

    The court minister is proposing a new intermediate court to speed up delays caused partly by an increase in rape cases

    Fri, 14 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Myths and monsters | The Lab Detective Ep4

    Rachel Sylvester travels to Greece to investigate whether genetic science could change the story in the case of Roula Pispirigou – a mother who was convicted of killing her three young children just last year. Our thanks to The Francis Crick Institute for sharing recordings and insights.

    35 min • S1, E4

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Briefings against the PM are more cock-up than conspiracy

    ‘There’s a mild hysteria in the news about everything at the moment,’ says cabinet minister as rumours swirl about Starmer leadership challenge

    Wed, 12 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Three is murder | The Lab Detective Ep1

    Journalist Rachel Sylvester investigates the case of 'Australia's worst serial killer'. And discovers, in a story about mothers who have been accused of murdering their own children, there is one man who connects them all: a doctor called Roy Meadow. Our thanks to The Francis Crick Institute for sharing recordings and insights.

    40 min • S1, E1

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Reeves will raise tax to ‘transfer wealth between generations’

    The chancellor’s plan for a 2p tax increase while cutting national insurance will benefit younger working people

    Sun, 9 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    The eureka moment | The Lab Detective Ep2

    Kathleen Folbigg is just trying to survive. She's a grieving mother, sentenced to life in jail for killing her four infant children. That is, until a small group of people start to question whether she might be the victim of a terrible miscarriage of justice. Our thanks to The Francis Crick Institute for sharing recordings and insights.

    38 min • S1, E2

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Broken education system is holding back the young, top scientists warn PM

    The 10 fellows of the Royal Society criticised the government’s curriculum and assessment review for its lack of ambition

    Sun, 9 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Science versus the law | The Lab Detective Ep3

    Scientist Carola Vinuesa and her team test their extraordinary genetic discovery in a court of law. Our thanks to The Francis Crick Institute for sharing recordings and insights.

    33 min • S1, E3

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Charlie Mayfield: Being online is keeping young people out of work

    The former John Lewis boss says social media is to blame for joblessness linked to poor mental health

    Sun, 9 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Introducing...The Lab Detective

    Kathleen Folbigg experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths were unexplained. Until a police detective turned up at her door, and arrested Kathleen on suspicion of murder. She was labelled ‘Australia's worst female serial killer', convicted, and was destined to spend most of the rest of her life in jail. Until a different type of detective entered her life. A scientist working in a lab who uncovered the truth behind the deaths. This is the story of a shocking miscarriage of justice, but as journalist Rachel Sylvester starts to investigate how this happened, she learns that Kathleen is not alone – other mothers have endured the same fate, and may also be in prison. The Lab Detective is a story about the power of science, and the determination of those searching for the truth.

    4 min • S1, E1

  • Rachel Sylvester
    The government has flunked its curriculum review

    Keir Starmer promised radical change for an outdated education system that fails our children and our employers. This is not it

    Wed, 5 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Is Britain ready to choose prison reform over punishment?

    The government has commissioned radical new reforms to reduce the prison population by 10,000 people.

    7 min • S1, E1111

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Clinical negligence costs almost as much as maternity care

    Maternal death rate has risen 42% in a decade, while ombudsman reports a culture of cover-ups

    Mon, 3 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Why Reform is no longer the party of old white men

    The results from last week’s local elections show that Nigel Farage’ party is now the most popular choice for gen X women.

    6 min • S1, E1099

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Andrew faces calls to testify to US committee over Epstein links

    Senior UK politicians join American panel in urging former prince to help bring justice for abused women

    Sun, 2 Nov 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Immigrants to train Brits under proposed scheme

    It comes after the announcement that workers entering the UK will need to speak English to an A-level standard

    Mon, 20 Oct 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    As his uncle is banished, the heir prepares for a downsized monarchy

    Prince William has made clear he does not seek the historic trappings or grandeur of a life lived in the royal spotlight

    Sun, 19 Oct 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Faulty towers: Whitehall loses its grip on the business of buying

    Whether it’s doors for high-security schools or windows for jails, bureaucrats are likely to bungle the order

    Mon, 13 Oct 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Jenrick’s ‘white face’ comment splits Tory ranks

    Despite Kemi Badenoch defending the shadow justice secretary’s remarks about Birmingham, other senior Conservatives have slammed his rhetoric

    Thu, 9 Oct 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Labour cuts funding for state school IB diplomas

    The sudden decision may mean the IB program is only available in private schools

    Mon, 6 Oct 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Blair’s peace mission in Gaza aims to make the impossible possible

    The former UK leader is the first name on Trump’s new ‘Board of Peace’. And some say he is the most crucial

    Sun, 5 Oct 2025

  • Rachel Sylvester
    Kemi who? Time is running out for Badenoch

    As MPs gather in Manchester, many believe that only a change in leadership can save the party from extinction

    Sun, 5 Oct 2025

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