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Event    From /9/1921  To /9/1921

Poplar Rates Rebellion

Poplar Rates Rebellion

Tax protest led by George Lansbury supported by the councillors of Poplar Borough Council.  On behalf of Poplar, an extremely poor borough, they held back taxes and were taken to court for non-payment.  A protest march was organised from Bow to the High Court.  30 councillors were sent to prison; the men to Brixton, the women to Holloway. After 6 weeks the court succumbed to public opinion and set them free, and central government quickly passed a bill which reduced the tax burden on poorer boroughs.

The photo shows the women councillors leaving for prison: Millie Lansbury (at window),
Jeannie MacKay, Susan Lawrence and Nellie Cressall.

During their time in prison council meetings continued.  The women were taxied to Brixton more than 30 times.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Poplar Rates Rebellion

Commemorated ati

Poplar Rate Rebels mural - 1

The mural refers to "30 councillors" but actually names only 29.  The count o...

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Other Subjects

George Joseph Levy, MBE

George Joseph Levy, MBE

George Joseph Levy was born on 25 May 1927, the younger of the two children of Percy Philip Levy (1892-1964) and Maude Agnes Levy née Simmons (1900-1991). His birth was registered in the 2nd quarte...

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1 memorial
William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire

William Cavendish, 7th Duke of Devonshire

Born Berkeley Square. Inherited the Dukedom from his cousin the 6th Duke, who died 1858. Father of Spencer Compton, the 8th Duke. Inherited land in Eastbourne, where a statue was erected for him.

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John Thelwall

John Thelwall

Orator, writer and elocutionist. Born in Covent Garden. It was as a political activist that he became well known. He was tried for treason and spent some time in the Tower of London and Newgate. He...

Person, Literature, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Arthur B. Bryceson

Arthur B. Bryceson

Town Clerk and joint Honorary Secretary of the statue committee, Woolwich Council in 1905. We found reference to him still Town Clerk there in 1923.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Lord Carlingford

Lord Carlingford

Born Glyde, County Louth, Ireland as Chichester Samuel Parkinson-Fortescue. Elected to parliament as a liberal in 1847 and rose to prominence under Gladstone, but fell from grace over the question ...

Person, Politics & Administration, France, Ireland

1 memorial