Event    From /9/1921  To /9/1921

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.

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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...

Read More

Other Subjects

London Borough of Merton

London Borough of Merton

Formed under the London Government Act 1963, by the merger of the Municipal Borough of Mitcham, the Municipal Borough of Wimbledon and the Merton and Morden Urban District, all formerly within Surrey.

Group, Politics & Administration

7 memorials
Frank Adamson

Frank Adamson

Member of the Ealing District Council in 1899. Frank Adamson was born on 25 May 1832 in Chiswick, Middlesex (now Greater London), a son of Thomas Henry Adamson (1799-1871) and Ann Adamson née Unde...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Thomas Challis

Thomas Challis

Alderman, Lord Mayor of London 1851, chair of the Executive Committee for the Great Exhibition Memorial.Born 92 Fore Street, Cripplegate. Died Baker Street, Enfield. His Lord Mayor's Show was ca...

Person, Lord Mayor, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne

Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne

Liberal politician.  Born Lansdowne House.  Like many of the aristocracy his name changed depending on what he inherited: Viscount Clanmaurice and Earl of Kerry being two early monikers.  It was du...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Don Joseph Alonzo Ortiz
1 memorial

Previously viewed

South Woodford copper beech tree

South Woodford copper beech tree

E18, Woodford High Road, 209, Woodford Parish Church Memorial Hall

The tree is outside our photo, to the left, south, set back from the road, in the grounds of St Mary's Church.

2 subjects commemorated, 2 creators
Lord Haldane

Lord Haldane

SW1, Queen Anne's Gate, 26

Lord Haldane, 1856 - 1928, statesman, lawyer and philosopher, lived here. London County Council

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
First Belgian School WW1

First Belgian School WW1

SW3, Cale Street, Oratory Roman Catholic Primary School

"Not by bread alone doth man live" x To commemorate the generous hospitality of the Oratory Fathers, whereby the f...

2 subjects commemorated
Rodney's Head

Rodney's Head

EC1, Old Street, 12

1876 is incised into the stone work of the building.

2 subjects commemorated
Silver Thimble Fund

Silver Thimble Fund

Miss {Elizabeth} H. E. Hope-Clarke of Wimbledon, inspired by her own damaged silver thimble, started collecting damaged or unwanted thimbles and other trinkets to contribute to the war effort.  She...

Group, Benefactor

2 memorials