The Party was represented again with a stand at the biggest outdoor show in Europe which took place from September 19th – 21st in Ratheniska, Co. Laois. Party Leader Ivana Bacik T.D and Senator Mark Wall braved the elements on Thursday where they spent an action-packed day visiting various exhibitors including Enterprise Ireland, Women for Election and a number of different local exhibitors from County Laois at Ireland’s premier agricultural festival. Ivana and Mark were accompanied on their visit by Cllr Marie Tuohy, Graiguecullen – Portarlington candidate Eoin Barry and Clane Local Area Representative Eoin Coates on the day.

We were also visited by Senator Marie Sherlock who spent time on Thursday regaling members of the public at the Labour stand. To mark our presence at the ploughing we launched a survey with some of our policy priorities to get people’s views on what they think is needed to support and enhance rural Ireland. The campaign ‘Deep Roots and Green Shoots’ came with leaflets listing our policies that support rural Ireland.

The purpose of the survey was to drive engagement, and gather ideas for the issues people are facing in their communities now. It is also a way to showcase and spread awareness of what we are doing to support rural communities. We launched the survey with an online page and landing page on the main website and are delighted with the feedback as more than 800 people clicked on the survey over the three days. 

Thousands of people visited our stall over the three days with strong pledges of support for Labour and many spoke to us about the need for a centre left social democratic alternative to the conservative parties.