Uphill trek to polls

Published: 20 May, 2011

• FOLLOWING the polling station debacle at last year’s general election, Islington Council revised the arrangements for Highbury West ward, to prevent it happening again. Our experience from the referendum on May 5, however, suggests it has still not got things right. 

The council made residents from around Benwell and Bryantwood roads head all the way to Aubert Court Community Centre to vote, which is a fair walk up a steep hill and then not particularly easy to find. Older voters, in particular, said they had been discouraged by the hill and would think twice about voting there again.

When the council consulted on changing the polling stations, Aubert Court was not even mentioned. Whatever its reasons for choosing it, there are surely better alternatives available.

ANDREW MYER
Highbury ward co-ordinator, Islington Green Party