#WhyImVotingUkip – when a hashtag goes wrong

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/may/21/whyimvotingukip-when-a-hashtag-goes-wrong-nigel-

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We're not sure this is what Ukip had in mind when they said "let's get this trending".

After the party's spectacular failure to organise a carnival was played out in 140-character bursts, Twitter has yet again been poking fun at Ukip. This time, with not-so-serious tweets about why they would be voting Ukip in the European elections.

Why are you voting UKIP this year? Tell us, tell Twitter and let's get it trending! #WhyImVotingUkip

I want to see Britain return to being a aspirational society, one that leads the world through soft power, not boots #WhyImVotingUkip

It began innocently enough, with actual members of the party attempting to show Twitter, and presumably the rest of the UK, exactly why they were worth voting for. But, as is often the case when it comes to Ukip and Twitter, it soon turned into one big joke. From Farage's claims he was "tired out" when he said he wouldn't want to live next door to Romanians to Godfrey Bloom's numerous gaffes – nothing passed Twitter by.

#WhyImVotingUkip: because, like the leader @Nigel_Farage, I get a bit racist when I'm tired too.

#WhyImVotingUkip because voting far right and blaming minorities after an economic downturn worked so well before, let's try that again

#WhyImVotingUkip - because Shakira should be a pop star, not a legal system. Oh, wait...

#WhyImVotingUkip: because no political party is standing up for the white, middle-class, heterosexual male, and that needs to change.

#WhyImVotingUkip Because the weather's really starting to pick up, and I don't want it ruined by gays.

#WhyImVotingUkip because approximately 158% of gays are Romanian

#WhyImVotingUKIP was trending by Wednesday morning, but perhaps not for the reasons Ukip would like.