Turnout In Coventry Local Elections

Right now, we only have 2 wards (Earlsdon and Foleshill) which have 40% turnout or better at local elections. From door-to-door canvassing, it's clear that a substantial minority of people feel "you're all the same" or "it won't make a difference" or "I'll vote for you and I won't see you ever again."

All I can say in response is that city councillors make decisions which affect everybody's life.

This can range from public transport for the next two decades, to deciding the budgets for "Alcohol Harm Co-ordinators," to where new homes are built.

You have until the 16th of April to register yourself onto the electoral list, and it takes only a few minutes. You can register for a postal vote, and then you won't even need to visit your polling station on election day. Polling stations open early and close late, so you can vote before or after work.

We can't expect the city council to magically pursue greener policies if we don't express how we feel about the need for a sustainable society at the ballot box. More broadly, it's important that you have your say on how services are run and how your money is spent.