How Twitter celebrated the 4th ever #EdBallsDay
#EdBallsDay, a hashtag devoted to remembering shadow chancellor Ed Balls' infamous tweet where he simply posted his own name, trended on Twitter worldwide again for the fourth consecutive year.
Unwilling to let what could be one of the ballsiest tweets ever posted die, social media users established the fail (shown below) as a national holiday.
Ed Balls
— Ed Balls (@edballsmp) April 28, 2011
Scores of Twitter users posted funny tributes to the Labour deputy head.
I hate how commercialised #EdBallsDay has become. It used to really mean something pic.twitter.com/XMs1wLEYSw
— Lily Bailey (@LilyBaileyUK) April 28, 2015
Happy #EdBallsDay pic.twitter.com/CkwT8Ddtem
— General Boles (@GeneralBoles) April 28, 2015
Here is a poem which looks at the true significance of #EdBallsDay It's called "Ed Balls". pic.twitter.com/LcMdhJ0NA7
— Brian Bilston (@brian_bilston) April 28, 2015
Our American cousins commemorate #EdBallsDay pic.twitter.com/RoxczljXQc
— Michele Paule (@michele_paule) April 28, 2015
Morning all and Happy Ed Balls Day. Just spotted this at Balham. #EdBallsDay pic.twitter.com/rN6Rm5fiQN
— Andy Lang (@HRH_Duke_of_Url) April 28, 2015
Love the Google doodle today. #EdBallsDay pic.twitter.com/rAhVwt5NSp
— James Martin (@Pundamentalism) April 28, 2015
He's BEEN!!! Best #EdBallsDay EVER. pic.twitter.com/iqYYsqtluy
— Alison B (@akbea) April 28, 2015
#EdBallsDay has become so commercialised. Shame really. pic.twitter.com/TT6qR7uzcU
— Carousel Lights (@Carousel_Lights) April 28, 2015
On #EdBallsDay of all days, I think it's time to spot Ed's balls to win a free bet! Stay tuned. #PPSpotTheBalls
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 28, 2015
Happy #EdBallsDay . A day to put differences aside... pic.twitter.com/ZwWWnq1EXF
— kibooki (@kibooki) April 28, 2015
BREAKING: The Queen arrives at #EdBalls' home to pay her respects. As is traditional she wears no crown. #EdBallsDay pic.twitter.com/leOurbxDUJ
— Francis L (@Francislunn) April 28, 2015
Ed Balls is running for President. Everyday Britons need a champion. Ed Balls wants to be that champion. #EdBallsDay pic.twitter.com/8plfZdgdHa
— Tom Wilson (@feedthedrummer) April 27, 2015
Cake for breakfast! After all...it's Ed Balls day! Have a good one! #EdBalls #EdBallsDay pic.twitter.com/K325rdkKWO
— Tattooed_Mummy (@tattooed_mummy) April 28, 2015
When Ed Balls visits he doesn't do mince pies & sherry, but do leave him a strong fiscal policy for long term economic growth #EdBallsDay
— Simon Pegg (@Simon_Pegg) April 28, 2015
Found this in my sock, and the pie has gone. #EdBallsDay pic.twitter.com/mmIamWpC1d
— Rick Burin (@rickburin) April 28, 2015
According to Wikipedia, it's not #EdBallsDay today. It's actually #GrantShappsDay.
— Chuck Thomas (@chuckthomasuk) April 28, 2015
We asked @edballsmp to name his all-time best 5-a-side team. Some surprising choices in there. #EdBallsDay pic.twitter.com/qS6M7Nfv0q
— FootballFanCast.com (@FootballFanCast) April 28, 2015
Americans are waking up to #EdBallsDay pic.twitter.com/9LUYwIFn92
— General Boles (@GeneralBoles) April 28, 2015
Both Twitter, Storyful and The Drum re-enacted his gaffe.
Twitter
— Twitter UK (@TwitterUK) April 28, 2015
storyful
— Storyful (@Storyful) April 28, 2015
The Drum
— The Drum (@TheDrum) April 28, 2015
Furthermore, Kantar Politics Pulse measured 4,173 mentions in the UK on Tuesday.
#EdBallsDay used 4,173 times so far today @edballsmp number 3 in our Top10 UK politicians http://t.co/rM9qAZ4tO7 pic.twitter.com/8LWEHn3KYf
— Kantar (@Kantar) April 28, 2015
BrandWatch on the other hand saw 6,000 international tweets in six hours.
#EdBalls: People around the world are taking to Twitter to celebrate #EdBallsDay with over 6,000 tweets in 6 hours. pic.twitter.com/bNoBeJvaeM
— Brandwatch React (@BW_React) April 28, 2015
The man himself remained quiet on social media but addressed his special day to ITV News.
And now on @itvnews a special message from #EdBalls on #EdBallsDay: pic.twitter.com/mtinLu0FN6
— Vincent McAviney (@VinnyITV) April 28, 2015
Just last week Tories and Labour clashed in a hashtag battle which saw fan girls from the #Milifandom erupt in discourse against the #Cameronettes.