to think that an election on the 12th December is a bad idea because it will affect Christmas at primary schools?

[chomalungma]

How many Christmas plays will be on on that day?

I am sure some will be able to be altered - but it's a really crappy time to close a school for voting when there are parties, school plays and the end of term atmosphere.

There are other reasons as well - but this is just one that may not have been thought about.

I don’t understand why they close whole schools anyway, it’s ridiculous! There are plenty of church halls, community halls, libraries etc.

They try not to use church halls because of the hire cost. Community halls don't always have the location (there's set location needs regarding public transport access and the likes). Libraries are the same.

Schools tend to have all the facilities needed - secure building, lockable areas, decent toilet/rest facilities for polling staff, plus they are usually well access by public transport and in a good community location

Had they not decimated libraries and community facilities then schools would be used less. However, every time councils look at alternatives they tend to find that schools fit the bill best

We have appealed so many times not to close but we have no choice.

We can't stay open due to the lay out of the school.

We usually use the time for staff training or to get ahead.

There's no way that's going to work for all the reasons above. School holidays and some such.
Plus the poor cabinet members and MPs will miss out on their boozy lunches.
On expenses of course.
It's farcical.

Polling stations are open 7am to 10pm

Ok so mid evening! My point stands

Sorry, BadSun, it was a point of information, not having a go. :)

gotcha 👍

Oh and it's dark in December. People will be trying to do their shopping for Xmas. And baking of course and whatever people make themselves busy doing for the whole month of December. (Another thread entirely).
The elderly won't be able to get out to vote, those that haven't organised a postal vote for example.
I could just see Boris out campaigning in a make up sleigh complete with pretend reindeers and a sack of presents.
Oh lordie the mind boggles when I don't know when to laugh or cry

We should have the election on Christmas day.. I nice walk in the frost. to the village hall or school,is just the thing after a big dinner. Maybe have to record the Queens Christmas message though.

Good grief

I do think this date will make it easier for the Tories to win and bring in no deal or his crappy deal. Bozo should just revoke and be done. But it’s not going to happen.

We should have the election on Christmas day.. I nice walk in the frost. to the village hall or school,is just the thing after a big dinner

No, just no!

The very thought of voting for Corbyn or Johnson absolutely turns my stomach and would definitely put me off my Christmas grub.

I'm going to have to hold my nose whatever I vote, but please give me Christmas Day off

I thought no-deal was off the table now, hasn't it been deemed unlawful?

I'm just gutted the election's not on the same day as my school's Christmas fair.....having to make 30 bloody bags of oats & glitter a.k.a 'reindeer food' with my class, then ending up having to buy the leftover bags (!) for my own kids on Christmas eve is shit I can do without year after year 🤣

Please don’t. Glitter is so unnecessary and damaging.

God I don’t want an election at all, never been so politically homeless.

I think OP is getting a hard time here - it's not so easy for schools to "just rearrange" and lots of community spaces will have been booked up for Christmas Fayres/parties etc. for months now.

Add in poor weather, dark nights and the potential for snow and ice and you can see why lots of people won't bother!

Schools are winding down at this point they don't do very much in primary schools at all at this time of year. One day won't hurt!

Historically, low turnout tends to favour the Tories. Perhaps that's why Boris isn't bothered...

My DD's school is a polling station but only one hall (though it's the one the nativity play is in...)

I see that handily the whole school is off to the panto that day...

I might spoil my ballot cross everyone out and write Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Should be Herod. Better than all the other politicians.

Dead god, fate of the entire country on the line but no, the fucking Christmas play is more important!

You're thinking of Easter.

Everyone's lambasting the OP, but the fact is that general election turnout IS affected by factors like rain etc. It might be depressing that people can't be arsed to vote if it's raining, but that doesn't stop it being true. I can well imagine that bad weather, short daylight hours and general pre-Christmas busy-ness would make a difference to turnout.

^I agree

The election is more important but we should not be closing schools for elections.

My school used to be sued as a polling station but it was only the school hall that was affected and blocked off. Maybe that wouldn't be possible in these more security conscious days.

Seriously though...