Laura Keyes for Directly Elected Mayor, Limerick

My name is Laura Keyes. I'm running in the upcoming Directly Elected Mayor elections this June, and I need your help to get myself in position to achieve a ‘Limerick that Thrives Together’.

I'm not your typical political candidate, and that's exactly why I'm the right person for the job and for bringing about a change in the ‘business as usual’ that has dominated Limerick politics for decades.

Picture this: a Limerick where everyone's voice is heard, where community prosperity takes priority over lining the pockets of business cronies, and where the marginalised aren't just considered but centred in every decision. That's the Limerick I envision, and with your support, we can make it a reality.

Rabharta - the Party for Workers and Carers have nominated and backed me for Limerick Mayor. We’re a party of grass-roots community workers, carers and activists, amongst many other things. People from different industries and backgrounds taking time out of busy lives to develop a new politics in Ireland. One that’s not focused on lives devoted to keeping up with rent or mortgage payments, while not having the time, finances, or even the mental and physical health to enjoy a basic standard of living. We don’t support governments chasing endless growth, or prosperity for the few. Our focus is on achieving a balance that designs for communities, their health and capacity to realise their potential, safeguarding our country’s biodiversity, while ensuring equitable outcomes for all our communities.

We are regular people, there is no big party fund for me to tap into. I’m relying on individuals like you, who share our vision and believe in what we’re doing, to financially support my campaign.

Before you part with your money, let me tell you who I am and why I more than meet requirements for the Directly Elected Mayor role. I was born in Limerick City. I attended Salesian’s Primary School and Laurel Hill Coláiste before I pursued education further afield. I committed myself to public health science, earning my stripes at Cambridge University in the UK working in research and to develop government policy, before overseeing higher level education programmes in Manchester. Yet, no matter where life took me, Limerick was always home.

Now, a senior research manager in the public sector, in recent years working to improve health and social care services and Ireland’s Covid response, I've seen Limerick’s highs and lows, but I’ve never doubted that we've got what it takes to rise above the challenges. With the election of Ireland's first Directly Elected Mayor on the horizon, we're standing at the precipice of change. And we really need to seize this!

As a public health scientist, I've honed my skills in problem-solving and evidence-based decision-making. I've spent years coordinating large-scale programs and collaborating with people from all walks of life, including government departments, to create positive change. Now, I'm ready to bring my expertise to a focus on Limerick.

My goal is a Limerick where our streets are safe, where housing is a given, not a luxury, where our hospital runs as it should, and where our economy isn't just surviving, but thriving and giving back to the community. That's the Limerick I'm looking to create - a city that champions sustainability, embraces diversity, and leaves no one behind.

If elected as your Mayor, I'll ensure that accessibility isn't an afterthought but a cornerstone of every plan we make. Because when we design for the least able, everyone benefits.

I'm ready to lead, but I can't do it alone. I need your support, your trust, and your belief in a brighter future for Limerick. Together, we can turn Limerick into the beacon of progress and prosperity it deserves to be.

‘Limerick Thrives Together’ - Are you with me?

To donate to my campaign you must be either resident in Ireland or an Irish passport holder. I can accept donations up to a maximum of €1000 from any one person. For any donation above €600, I will need to declare it on my donations return which is publicly available. For any donation from €99 to €600, I will need to supply your details to SIPO. I can accept donations up to €99 completely anonymously (although for transparency purposes and in order to thank you, I would prefer to have your name).