Put them in a booklet and scrap the posters

AS polling day fast approaches, much discussion is taking place about the pros and cons of political posters stuck up on every lamp-post in the land.

In recent days the elements here in Limerick seem to have sided with the critics of the posters and many a would-be councillor’s face now gazes smiling up from the footpath, having been unceremoniously dumped there by unseasonably high gusts of wind.

When discussing the poster problem with a friend recently he suggested an alternative that would save our streets from litter and our candidates much expense.

He proposed that an information booklet, along the lines of those issued by the Referendum Commission, be sent to every household with a registered voter before the election.

Each candidate would be given an equal amount of space to put forward his or her case for election. They could also include their contact details, should a voter wish to discuss any election issue with them.

One advantage of this system would be that it wouldn’t prejudice the candidates who don’t have the poster-placing resources of one of the larger political parties behind them.

Perhaps it would also lead to our politicians being elected on the basis of reason rather than mere recognition.

James Gaffney

Bracken Gardens

North Circular Road

Limerick