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

Alderman Leonard John Chalstrey, MA, MD

Alderman Leonard John Chalstrey, MA, MD

Sheriff of the City of London and Alderman on the City Lands & Bridge House Estates Committee, 1994.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Free Russian Press

Free Russian Press

Established by Herzen in London 1853.  See our plaque page for its various addresses around Bloomsbury.  See the picture source for much more information.

Concept, Journalism / Publishing, Politics & Administration, Russia

1 memorial
Joseph Allen Baker

Joseph Allen Baker

Engineer and politician. Born at Maple Ridge Farm in Trenton, Ontario. He came to London in 1878 and with his brothers, established a company specialising in machinery for the confectionery and bak...

Person, Engineering, Politics & Administration, Canada

1 memorial
George William Tallents

George William Tallents

Barrister and local politician. A Commissioner for the 1892 Westminster Public Baths and Wash-houses.  Alderman for the City of Westminster 1903-6 (minimum). Mayor of Westminster 1906-7, 1918-19.  ...

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Janet Scrutton

Janet Scrutton

Churchwarden of St James's, Piccadilly

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Anne Winifrede O'Reilly

Anne Winifrede O'Reilly

Schoolteacher. Headteacher at Peckham Emergency Central School, 1940 - 46, and the first head at Walworth's first comprehensive school, 1947 - 55, when she retired.   Founding member of the All En...

Person, Education, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Friedrich Froebel

Friedrich Froebel

Educationalist and inventor of the kindergarten.  Born Germany. Student of Pestalozzi.  We first heard of Froebel when studying the great Frank Lloyd Wright whose mother, determined that baby Frank...

Person, Education, Germany

1 memorial