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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Other Subjects

Jeremy Kite

Jeremy Kite

Councillor on Dartford Council.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Councillor Herbert Dyer

Councillor Herbert Dyer

Member of the Electric Lighting and Tramways Committee, West Ham, 1905. This Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health, West Ham, 1909 gives more of his name, referring to 'Herbert Dyer'.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Lord Palmerston

Lord Palmerston

Born 4 Park Street (which is now 20 Queen Anne's Gate) as Henry John Temple. Liberal Prime Minister 1855 - 58 and 1859 - 65. See First passenger underground. Died Brocket, Hertfordshire, his wife'...

Person, Politics & Administration

7 memorials
George Croydon Marks

George Croydon Marks

Engineer and politician. Born in Eltham. He was apprenticed at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. In 1882 he joined Tangye Ltd in Birmingham and became head of the lifting-machinery department and an exp...

Person, Engineering, Politics & Administration

1 memorial

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Southbank Mosaics / London School of Mosaic

Southbank Mosaics / London School of Mosaic

Southbank Mosaics actively promotes equal opportunities and cross-cultural, inter-generational mosaic art work. The studio aims to draw on the historic roots of local neighbourhoods traversed by Sh...

Group, Art, Community / Clubs, Craft / Design

26 memorials
Wendy Taylor

Wendy Taylor

Sculptor resident in Bow. Studied at St. Martin's School of Art. Her philosophy is to 'take art out of the galleries and out onto the streets', and has probably more original permanent sculptures o...

Person, Sculpture

5 memorials
Bridewell Palace / Prison

Bridewell Palace / Prison

Built by Henry VIII, who lived there 1515-23. It deteriorated so that Edward VI gave it to the City of London who then used it as a prison, hospital (actually school) and workrooms. "Bridewell" was...

Building, Law, Property, Royalty

2 memorials