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.

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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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Tulip Siddiq

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Hu Ding Yi

Hu Ding Yi

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Colonel William Stephens-Smith

Colonel William Stephens-Smith

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Colin Ward

Colin Ward

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1 memorial
W. Hunt

W. Hunt

Member of the Commissioners of the 1890 Bermondsey Library.

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Heinrich Heine

Heinrich Heine

WC2, Craven Street, 32

{Below two crossed laurel branches:} LCC Heinrich Heine, German poet and essayist (1799-1856) lived here in 1827.

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Robert Peel - Embankment

Robert Peel - Embankment

SW1, Victoria Embankment, New Scotland Yard

The Peelian principles summarise the ideas that Sir Robert Peel developed to define an ethical police force. The approach expressed in th...

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Anthony Beeton

Anthony Beeton

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1 memorial
John Cranfield
1 memorial
Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson

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Person, Cinema, Seriously Famous, TV & Radio

1 memorial