Hundreds of nurseries and schools close for the election
Lauren Higgs
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Children and young people across the country spent yesterday at home as nurseries, schools and colleges were converted into election polling stations.
There were about 42,000 polling stations across the UK, a high proportion of which were nurseries, schools and colleges. Numerous youth and community centres, libraries and universities also made way for voters.
For example, of 131 polling stations in Nottingham, 39 were nurseries or schools and three were youth centres.
Out of 107 polling stations in the London Borough of Southwark, 26 were based in nurseries, schools and colleges, and one was based in a youth centre.
In Portsmouth, there were 78 polling stations, 28 of which were based in nurseries, children's centres or schools and two of which were set up in youth centres.
Parents on websites Netmums and Mumsnet have been discussing the issue. One Netmums user said: "It does seem a bit stupid to close the school for polling day. I can't understand why they can't find somewhere more appropriate."
"It's a nightmare for working parents," a Mumsnet member claimed.
The general public voted for the general election in 649 constituencies across the UK, and for local elections in 164 council areas.
Mayoral elections took place in Lewisham, Newham, Watford and Hackney.
