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Narjas Zatat
May 26, 2019
Theresa May broke down in tears as she concluded her resignation speech in front of 10 Downing Street - and it's been given the meme treatment.
The prime minister said she will step down from the role on 7 June after three embattled years and failing to reach a consensus on a Brexit deal three times.
Her crying face was splashed across the front pages of newspapers as she tearfully told the British public that she bears "no ill-will" at vacating her position, and, as she broke down in tears, said she has "enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love".
It all began with a well-meaning tweet.
News anchor Eylon Levy, upon learning of May's resignation, tweeted a picture of her crying and wrote:
This is such a haunting photo. Whatever you think about Theresa May's record as prime minister, it's impossible not to feel sorry for her has a person.
And so, the 'This is such a haunting photo...' meme was born.
People utilised pop culture and sarcasm to criticise May and her political history.
Figures were pulled from history.
@0Calamity @dli_odoir This is such a haunting oil painting. Whatever you think of Vlad Tepes record as ruler of Wal… https://t.co/8zgzTWMLAv— Daniel Blake #GTTO #Ex-Labour Socialist🌹 (@Daniel Blake #GTTO #Ex-Labour Socialist🌹) 1558778432
Marvel's Thanos got mentioned, too.
This is such a haunting photo. Whatever you think about Thanos’ record as overlord of the universe, it's impossible… https://t.co/NWDc9MGhr9— Chris Hewitt (@Chris Hewitt) 1558740654
Game of Thrones fans, experts at the meme treatment, got involved.
This is such a haunting photo. Whatever you think about Cersei Lannister's record as queen, it's impossible not to… https://t.co/PgJbgSoyFx— Khaliden Nas. (@Khaliden Nas.) 1558741628
And Star Wars.
@JstnMchl @JordanUhl This is such a haunting photo. Whatever you think about Anakin Skywalker’s record as a Sith Lo… https://t.co/FP2O9HFBqu— Avengers: Age of Omicron (@Avengers: Age of Omicron) 1558800798
Mr Blobby was mentioned.
This is such a haunting photo. Whatever you think about Mr Blobby's record as an entertainer, it's impossible not t… https://t.co/r47LANtzQr— Alex Tiffin (@Alex Tiffin) 1558858502
Others were serious with their criticisms.
Labour MP David Lammy reminded people online that her policies, including how she dealt with Grenfell survivors and the Windrush generation, are black marks on her premiership.
If you are gushing with sympathy for Theresa May, pause and think about the thousands of victims of her Hostile Env… https://t.co/1NoZVCQ75x— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1558776747
As did others.
@morton_wendy @theresa_may Theresa May guide to crying NO TEARS for Grenfell The Windrush generation Deaths and mis… https://t.co/kTc5N2v7GR— Stuart Williams (@Stuart Williams) 1558812719
Absolutely laughable people are saying the imagine of Theresa crying is ‘haunting’ There’s only one haunting image… https://t.co/EENSY4F254— Jay Moore (@Jay Moore) 1558808135
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