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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 Lansbury

George Lansbury

Born Suffolk. Member of the Poplar Borough Council 1903 - 1940, Mayor 1919 - 20 & 1936 - 37.  Member of Parliament, Minister of the Crown, Privy Councillor. Leader of the Labour Party 1932 - 35...

Person, Journalism / Publishing, Politics & Administration, Social Welfare

7 memorials
Christopher Moorsom

Christopher Moorsom

Public relations executive. Flamboyant personality who was a friend of a wide variety of international personalities. Among his varied activities, he arranged the coverage of the coronation of Ssab...

Person, Benefactor, Politics & Administration, Cuba, Greece, USA

1 memorial
John Thomas Bedford

John Thomas Bedford

Chairman of Committee for letting the City lands of the Corporation of London when the monument to Temple Bar was erected in 1880.  Commoner on the Bridge House Estates Committee, 1894 and a Deputy...

Person, Politics & Administration

2 memorials
Trinity House

Trinity House

Trinity House is the general lighthouse authority for England, Wales and the Channel Islands, a deep sea pilotage authority which also administers charitable funds mostly connected with seafarers. ...

Group, Politics & Administration

4 memorials
Kenneth Alfred Ballard, MC

Kenneth Alfred Ballard, MC

Commoner on the City Lands & Bridge House Estates Committee, 1994.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial