Some dark corners of the sanctimonious left’s presence on Twitter have been frantically trying to come to terms with the fact that Reform did so well at the election. Their chosen conspiracy? That Reform’s “paper candidates” in unwinnable seats aren’t real people at all. A theory based on the fact that one candidate, an antique dealer called Mark Matlock, had a photo that looked a little bit edited…
And their chosen champion is none other than the fox-beater himself, Jolyon Maugham. The anti-government crusader-turned-government-enthusiast (as of 4th July) bravely said on Twitter: “If you’re an MP who lost by fewer votes than a Reform candidate who didn’t exist you’re gonna be speaking to your lawyers.” Jolyon then went round pointing out Reform candidates who didn’t speak to the press or turn up to the counts (normal if you are a paper candidate – hence the name). He was even assisted by defence minister Maria Eagle…
The Guardian jumped on the bandwagon last night and even spoke to Matlock, who “insisted that he did exist“. Some saner hacks in that newsroom must have been seriously biting their tongues as this one got written up…
GB News went so far as to get Matlock on air last night to chat to him about his existence. Never fear, though – Jolyon is still going on about it this morning…
