Local elections - what do you think??

I feel polling should take place at the weekend and in supermarkets, that should increase the poll. I am fed up with schools being used as polling stations. Many children have lost 2 days education this school year, one for the police commissioners vote.

When you think people worked hard and even gave their lives for emancipation, we should all vote. [ would help if we had decent candidates of course.}

I think everyone who is eligible should vote but can quite understand why people don't. For our local elections not one candidate knocked on our door. At least one leaflet spent most of the space slagging off the current incumbent with little mention of what was on offer if elected. If prospective candidates don't make the effort how can they expect us to make a properly informed choice? I didn't like the fact that our MP sent round an email encouraging us to vote for his party's candidate. Of course some people will just vote for whatever colour they've been voting for for the past umpteen years but I suppose they at least go out and put their cross. If you don't vote, you can't moan about the results.

Although I would largely agree with gangy5 if protest shows up in local voting it may well force those in power to alter their thinking. Whereas, the other way means there is no warning for our leaders that the public are unhappy with their policies until the actual General Election - and then it may be too late to make amends.

20% turnout here. We had no knocks on door and only one leaflet from sitting councillor.
All the TV broadcasts were about national issues......our County Council deals with potholes not immigration!!
We have had a postal vote for years as you no longer need a reason to vote by post, just apply to your local council. Why don't they just send everyone a postal vote? Schools would not need to close, people would have time to decide and post their ballot paper and apathy may decrease.

Some very interesting comments here - I'm thinking that we could organize local elections between us.
LullyDully is right that schools shouldn't be polling stations and what's wrong with holding voting at weekends. Most voting points are manned by volunteers who no longer work so that is sorted and also opening such long hours wouldn't be necessary.
Goldengirl - very poor form your MP encouraging you to vote for his party.
speck123 - the fact that the way we vote is a sign to government is a good point. This was certainly demonstrated in the recent elections and Pittycity postal voting may encourage more to vote

I don't agree with voting just on the point of 'missing out' on your right.
How can this reasoning be valid when one has no knowledge of the candidates or what they stand for!! - except their party ofcourse!!