Laois Green Party candidate will use one poster in election campaign

The Green Party candidate for Laois in the 2024 General Election is going to carry one single poster around the county, out of her concern for the environment.

Rosie Palmer from Ballinakill has announced that she will run a poster free campaign, except for the one single poster she will take with her as she visits towns and villages. 

The candidate had put up posters in the recent Local Election where she won just under 300 first preference votes.

However she won't be reusing them because of "visual clutter and pollution".

She is critical of other candidates' use of election posters, which is legal if they are erected after an election is called, and taken down a week after it.

“I’ve been in every town and village in the county over the last few days and the sheer quantity of election posters that have popped up on our road signs and sides is phenomenal," she said.

Laois Green Rosie Palmer holding her single poster at Ballybrophy Train Station. 

Ms Palmer had competed unsuccessfully in the recent Local Election hoping to become a county councillor.

“In the run up to the Local Elections, I was contacted by many Laois people asking me not to use posters. As a first-time candidate, I knew I needed to get the balance between visibility and the impact on the environment right.

“Many consider posters to be part of the democratic process, but I felt there must be a modern solution to this long-standing election tradition. I wrote to the Council to ask them to create designated poster area in a central location in each town, like we see across Europe, unfortunately, it wasn’t something they were able to action at the time.

She is one of 10 candidates competing to win one of three seats in Laois in the 2024 General Election on Friday, November 29. The others are Minister of State Sean Fleming, Fine Gael Cllr Willie Aird, independent Brian Stanley, independent Cllr Aisling Moran, Sinn Féin's Maria McCormack, Aontú's Mary Hand, People Before Profit's Ken Mooney, Austin Stack for Fianna Fáil and independent Elaine Mullally from Portarlington. 

Rosie Palmer said posters give an advantage to richer parties.

“I went on to run a low poster campaign then, but this time round I have made the conscious decision not to contribute to the visual clutter, pollution and wasting of resources, and will not be erecting posters.

“I read recently that this will likely be the most expensive election in history, that’s because spending thresholds have been increased by 30% to €38,900. This doesn’t sit well with me, and only serves to benefit those who are able to spend more money, giving an advantage to the bigger, richer parties and individuals of means – that’s not democracy, and certainly not the fairer future I envision for Laois.

“In my opinion, the best way to campaign is to get out and meet people, so I’ve set out on a mission to visit each town in Laois with the same, single poster over the next 3 weeks. If you meet me, please say hello, give me a beep and spread the word; No.1 for No Posters – No.1 for Palmer,” the Laois election candidate said.