#WhyImVotingUkip: Ten best responses to the hijacked hashtag

(Image credit: Bethany Clarke/Getty Images)

published 22 May 2014

A social media campaign launched by Ukip to coincide with the European elections has backfired after the #WhyImVotingUkip hashtag was overrun with jokes and insults.

The campaign kicked off with a tweet on Monday from the @UKIPHarrogate account urging supporters to explain why they would be voting for Ukip in elections today: "Why are you voting UKIP this year? Tell us, tell Twitter and let's get it trending! #WhyImVotingUkip", the account said.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Below are ten of the best and most retweeted replies.

#WhyImVotingUkip Because I'm worried black people will start breeding with gay people and we'll create a master race of amazing dancers — James McMahon (@jamesjammcmahon) May 21, 2014

#WhyImVotingUkip Being mixed race, I'm intrigued which half of me will be thrown out.— Rohan Sivajoti (@FE_Rohan) May 22, 2014

#WhyImVotingUkip because not even my cats speak English and there's two of them and one of me and I feel marginalised in my own home. — Thomas Jennings (@24framescast) May 22, 2014

#WhyImVotingUkip because I heard they were taking Britain out of Europe, so I'm hoping they move it somewhere hot like the Caribbean — Tom Hunt (@TomHunttttttttt) May 22, 2014

#WhyImVotingUkip Because I'm assuming by the name that it's the party promoting afternoon naps. — (@_LewisMann) May 22, 2014

#WhyImVotingUkip Because Mr Sheen left smears on my windows and it says on the bottle that he's polish. — Anthony Grimley (@antinbath) May 21, 2014

#WhyImVotingUkip because I am sick and tired of Meerkats coming over here comparing OUR indigenous British market. Send em all back!! — Geek Cadet (@GeekCadet) May 22, 2014

#WhyImVotingUKIP Because the overworked medical staff who saved my wife and daughter's life during childbirth were nearly all foreigners! — Mike Bubbins (@MikeBubbins) May 22, 2014

#WhyImVotingUkip Because I saw a photo of Nigel Farage holding a pint and I drink pints so he must be alright. — Alex Dalé (@SporadicDaler) May 22, 2014