Turns out that ‘AI’ Reform UK candidate really is an actual person and his GB News interview just made the whole thing even better
In a wholly unexpected plot twist in the fallout from Labour’s landslide election win, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has come under pressure to provide evidence that all of its candidates standing in last week’s poll were, you know, real people.
Reform insisted that every one of its 609 wannabe MPs were actual human beings even if some people are having difficulty tracking them down online.
Here’s why people were taking the allegation so seriously.
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.
— Jo Maugham (@JolyonMaugham) July 8, 2024
And one Reform candidate in particular caught people’s imagination – Mark Matlock, who won 4.1% of the vote in the Clapham and Brixton Hill constituency in south London – because, well, look.
This is absolutely insane not least because that photo looks so much like Muskhttps://t.co/DtFsW41W9N pic.twitter.com/tS7BFxqQEj
— Otto English (@Otto_English) July 8, 2024
And it prompted no end of very funny jokes
1.
Reform UK release footage of election candidate Mark Matlock to prove he is real and not Ai generated. pic.twitter.com/FYDJg78I9g
— Joe (@MrJoeGooch) July 8, 2024
2.
Guys, chill out, they've released a legit photo of that Reform matey pic.twitter.com/bTXqlZ4Q22
— aidThompsin (@aidThompsin) July 8, 2024
3.
“Of course I am a real candidate, this is ridiculous” – Al Gorithm pic.twitter.com/KBv3zV2kab
— Unnamed Insider (@Unnamedinsider) July 8, 2024
4.
Reform UK submitting election candidates pic.twitter.com/Q6FaSro9s6
— SHANE REACTION (@imshanereaction) July 8, 2024
5.
What were they going to do if he WON? *starts writing screenplay* https://t.co/vuzm1jUobC
— Caitlin Moran (@caitlinmoran) July 8, 2024
6.
I've worked with Mark Matlock for many years down at the Facility https://t.co/bdaupX0eWX pic.twitter.com/zjyNsDrKQZ
— Gordo! (@Meat__Hook) July 8, 2024
7.
I can't believe that people are questioning the reality of our local Reform candidate?! I've never met him, but I've heard that Johnny is a kind-hearted local cab driver who just wants his country back. pic.twitter.com/MN6RUWiaZW
— Moog (@a_toots) July 8, 2024
Except it turned out that Matlock really was a real person, and his GB News interview just made the whole thing even better.
Oh pic.twitter.com/R8VIHMT5Kl
— Alan White (@aljwhite) July 9, 2024
So much to enjoy but we think we like the ‘I call it fake news’ best. Interesting phrase he’s come up with there – even the GB News man seemed to enjoy it – it might just catch on.
Just in case you’re still not convinced …
There you go.
The Elon Musk lookalike is real. https://t.co/gwMfcl1pwe
— Otto English (@Otto_English) July 9, 2024
And, finally, here’s what Reform MP Richard Tice and Nigel Farage’s right hand man says about it.
While Tice rages about ‘defamation’ he should remember Farage admitted there was no proper vetting of the candidates, and this is a matter of high public interest (and therefore has a public interest defence) given Reform are seeking public ‘short money’ dependent on votes cast https://t.co/JC2llLRPqB
— Peter Jukes (@peterjukes) July 8, 2024
Well, almost last word …
Hmm. Sounds like something someone who doesn’t exist would say. pic.twitter.com/KtlkzoeVik
— Moose Allain Ꙭ (@MooseAllain) July 8, 2024
