Trying to sense media and Twitter reaction to #JeffereyArcher passing. Seems to swing wildly between “he was such a decent man” to “pathological liar and plagiarist who had no redeeming qualities and is responsible for the death of a sex worker”. I’m leaning towards latter.
Con Franklin retweeted
The MOST important aspect of this election is whether we continue to have a Republican-controlled Congress acting as a rubber stamp for Trump, his fellow oligarchs and his horrific policies or whether we finally hold them accountable.
Republicans must no longer control Congress.
Nigel Farage has a long documented history of hypocrisy, dishonesty and corruption. As an MEP, he claimed an utterly ridiculous £2 million in expenses, which included paying both his wife and mistress salaries from tax-payer's pockets.
He had zero remorse when he was grilled about it on Have I Got News For You.
If you voted for this man, you have to ask yourself some serious questions about your judgement.
Con Franklin retweeted
Not one Tory politician or supplier of dodgy PPE has done time for the VIP Lane scandal. But a fair few should probably be behind bars.
Con Franklin retweeted
Thursday’s @guardian front page: Revealed: More Reform transactions worth millions reported to crime agency theguardian.com/politics/202…
Note how it’s always an unspecific “they” who are out to get him. This is straight from the hard right populist playbook - distract from dodgy (laundered??) donations by creating a fictional “enemy”. What a vile, repugnant and lying grifter @Nigel_Farage is.
Con Franklin retweeted
Nigel Farage: "I'm going to ignore the wishes of Henry Nowak's family and extract every ounce of political capital from their son's death".
Nigel Farage: "Leave my family alone"
Con Franklin retweeted
It's almost as if Coutts were entirely justified in giving Nigel Farage a wide berth
The walls are closing in on @Nigel_Farage and not before time. This shameless, hate-pedalling and wealth-obsessed conman has grifted his way through our politics without any form of decency or respect for the rules. Well done @thetimes for its proper investigative journalism.
Sad echoes of @andyburnham’s disastrous “heart of Labour” leadership bid in 2015. London’s not buying your un-mandated vibes, pal. You and your little coterie have turfed out a statesman, a leader and principled PM who put his country’s interests first. It’s not going to end well
Con Franklin retweeted
Andy Burnham is like that twat who moves to Manchester for uni then makes it his whole personality.
Con Franklin retweeted
hold on. the plp threw a tantrum, because starmer wasn’t moving fast enough and now this charlatan wants ten years?!
Burnham warns it will take 10 years to reset Britain
trib.al/P3xwAP6
Con Franklin retweeted
I know that I will be hammered for this -but I believe Burnham's behaviour yesterday was tasteless.
*A very public rail journey to London.
*Undignified swearing in.
*Organised photo call with a crowd of Labour MPs.
*His assumed entitlement to be PM
A total lack of self awareness.
Con Franklin retweeted
Andy Burnham hasn’t been in parliament for years. No involvement in international politics, failed twice to lead the Party.
He is extremely out of his depth and under qualified to just walk into number 10.
What he and his associates are doing is reckless.
Con Franklin retweeted
Starmer is a good PM.
He just pissed off the right people (Press barons, billionaires and fascists) who have the power and tools to make the politically illiterate believe he isn’t doing a good job.
The Daily Fail, X and GB “News” are examples of the propaganda.
Con Franklin retweeted
Well that marked the end of our brief two years as a serious country again. Well done everyone.
Back to vibes, shits and giggles it is.
Britain is done.
I am ashamed.
The Parliamentary #LabourParty has lost its mind. It’s going to choose ego over competence and serious-minded governance. If he does wangle his way into No. 10, Burnham’s honeymoon period will be the shortest in history.
Con Franklin retweeted
Open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing as a Labour supporter who is deeply concerned by the growing pressure surrounding your leadership, but also as someone who has developed a genuine admiration for the way you conduct yourself.
What I respect most about you is your seriousness.
You are not a political showman. You do not rely on constant drama, easy slogans or theatrical promises. You come across as disciplined, intelligent, decent and deeply conscious of the responsibility that comes with leading the country.
In an age when politics is increasingly dominated by noise, outrage and personality cults, your calmness is a strength.
Your resilience is also admirable. You have faced relentless criticism, personal attacks and an often hostile media environment, yet you have continued to behave with dignity. You rarely lash out. You do not appear consumed by ego. You keep returning to the work.
That matters to me.
Britain has already endured years of political chaos, revolving-door prime ministers and governments more interested in internal warfare than governing. The country does not need another leadership contest. It needs stability, seriousness and delivery.
You were elected with a mandate to govern. You inherited damaged public services, weak growth, overcrowded prisons, an NHS under enormous pressure and public trust worn down by fourteen years of Conservative government. None of that can be repaired overnight.
I hope you will remain Prime Minister and continue the work until the next general election in 2029.
Labour MPs should understand that removing you now could trigger weeks of division, uncertainty and damaging promises made during a leadership contest. The press would feed on the chaos, financial markets could react, and Nigel Farage and Reform would be handed exactly the political instability they want.
This is not the time for Labour to imitate the Conservative Party.
I also believe your personality is better suited to this difficult period than many people appreciate. You are methodical rather than impulsive, measured rather than reckless, and focused on governing rather than performing.
Those qualities may not always generate exciting headlines, but they are the qualities a serious Prime Minister needs.
Leadership is not only about popularity. It is about character.
It is about remaining calm when others panic, showing discipline when others chase attention, and continuing the difficult work when the noise becomes unbearable.
Please hold the line.
Many Labour supporters still believe in your integrity, your determination and your sense of duty. Britain needs less political theatre and more delivery, and you deserve the opportunity to complete the job the country elected Labour and you to do.
Yours sincerely,
Thomas Soede




















