A 93-year-old woman became the unlikely focal point of the EU referendum debate on social media today. The elderly lady, otherwise known as Keith Adams's mum, allegedly shouted "Which box for out?" in a polling booth. Her son took to Twitter to tell the world what happened, and the response was remarkable. Even Lord Ashcroft, former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party and campaigner for Vote Leave, retweeted Keith.
Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. In a very loud voice she said, "Which box for out?" A cheer went up from waiting voters
— Keith Adams (@keitheadams) 23 June 2016
The tweet received over 4,000 likes, and the hashtag #KeithsMum soon went viral. Hundreds of users came up with their own joke versions of the incident, inventing other questions the 93-year-old could have asked. Everything from cats to the illuminati featured in people's tweets.
Even Tony Blair was mentioned in a tweet, photoshopped by a user so that the former British prime minister appears to be holding a banner reading: "Just took 93-year-old mum to vote, she's registered blind. In a loud voice, she said, "was that war even legal Tony? A cheer went up from waiting voters."
In polling station a 93-year old woman yelled "I'm very unlikely to live to see the consequences of my vote." Everyone cheered. #keithsmum
— James Harewood (@bobdobbelina3) June 23, 2016
Took 93yr Mum to vote. In loud voice she said, "Which box is the cat in & is it dead or not?". Cheer went up from waiting physicists
— JM1967 (@tpe365) June 23, 2016
— IncrediblyRich (@IncrediblyRich) June 23, 2016
Took my 93 year old mum to vote. She said loudly "2pac and the illuminati are controlling the pencils, use pens!" and a loud cheer went up.
— Cemay (@cemay) June 23, 2016
Some Twitter users accused Keith of lying, saying that blind voters used Braille to vote. However, Keith responded to people's scepticism, explaining that his mum has a condition called macular degeneration, which means she has limited sight. He subsequently expressed disappointment that he had been "trolled" on social media.
Most calling me a liar because blind always vote via Braille. Not if you're registered blind but have limited sight. Macular degeneration
— Keith Adams (@keitheadams) 23 June 2016
Keith and his 93-year-old mother are both Leave supporters.
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