The Poll Tax

What law was passed in 1987?

New law was passed to introduce the tax in Scotland on the 1st April 1989 and in Britain on 1st April 1990

What did a March 1990 poll show?

That Thatcher's support for her among the electorate stood at just 15%

Why was the poll tax introduced?

The government wanted to change the way that local government was financed

Results of the battle of Trafalgar Square?

-£400,000 worth of damage -400 arrests -113 injured -Arguably, the downfall of Margaret Thatcher, who resigned eight months later

What was non-registration?

Ignoring the fines imposed as a result of not registering

When was the All Britain Anti Poll Tax Federation (ABAPTF) set up and what did they do?

-1989 -Organised a series of regional protest demonstrations just before the Poll Tax was implemented -Decided to hold a national demonstration in London on March 31st 1990

Famous anti-poll tax organisation

-All Britain Anti-Poll Tax Federation (the Fed) -It was a national body of anti-Poll Tax unions set up by Militant Tendency

Why did the Poll Tax end?

-Government couldn't arrest 18 million non-payers -The people were protesters not criminals -There was no one for the government to negotiate with; the APTUs were local groups -APTUs were well organised & responsive -Heavy- handed policing, e.g the Trafalgar Square Riots -The conservative government were concerned about their popularity

The role of the media

-Initially, media generally just reported the refusal to pay the poll tax and the various local campaigns against it -When police & protestors clashed in March 1990, they described some protestors as 'Rent-a-Mib' extremists from political groups such as Militant Tendency and Socialist Workers Party

Who were the main leaders in the All-Britain Federation?

-Left- wing parties like the Militant Tendency -Socialist Workers Party -Members of APTU -Extreme left wing anarchist groups

Where and when were the first APTUs set up?

-Maryhill, Glasgow in April 1987 -By November 1989 there were over 1000 APTUs in England & Wales

Some types of people who took part in the battle of Trafalgar Square?

-Mothers and families with babies -Miners saw it as a chance to get back at Thatcher

What were four main methods of resistance towards the poll tax?

-Non-registration: -Non-payment: -Non-implementation -Non-collection of the tax.

How did the Battle of Trafalgar Square start?

-Organisers only expected 20,000 people to show up, but there were 200,000 and Trafalgar Square only had a capacity for 60,000. Police refused a request to change venue -Police tried moving protesters but they refused and so police started arresting them, only to be pelted with missiles and in the end 3000 demonstrators remained

Examples of passive resistance to the poll tax

-Protest marches -Posters -Leaflets

What was the poll tax?

-Single flat- rate charge on everyone -Everyone over 18 years old had to pay -Based on the number of people living in a house rather than its estimated price

What did the 1987 election show?

-Some recovery of the Labour Party from its disastrous showing in the 1983 election -Still had a majority of 100 but lost 22 seats, Thatcher saw this as a mandate to continue

Why was the non-payment method effective?

-The government couldn't arrest 18 million people -When people were taken to court over it, many refused to pay the fine -It was hard to claim that these people were criminals as they stated that they were not paying as an act of protest -There was no one for the government to negotiate with

How did people react to the poll tax?

-The labour party & trade unions wanted traditional protest marches and law abiding campaigns

What did the APTU do?

-They gave out information and legal advice and supported those not paying the Poll Tax -When council sent in the bailiffs to seize the goods of non-payers, local APTU groups organised protests that prevent their entry

Who didn't have to pay the new tax?

-Those earning a very poor income -Homeless -Severely mentally impaired -Members of religious communities

Who were worst affected by the poll tax?

-Those living in private rented accommodation as many landlords did not reduce their rents -The Observer in August 1990 estimated that in England and Wales private landlords would make over £100 million

How many people were punished because of non- payment?

120 were put in prison

When did the poll tax end?

1993

When was the battle of Trafalgar Square?

31st March 1990

What did a survey show about the effects that the poll tax would have on people?

70% of people would be worse off

When and what was the Poll Tax Riot

A march of 200,000 people turned into a riot

What was non- collection of the tax?

Asking all union members responsible for the collection to refuse to do it

How much tax was unpaid by the end of the poll tax?

By the end of the poll tax in 1993, an estimated £2.5 billion was still unpaid

What was non-implementation?

Calling on councils to refuse to administer the tax

What was another name for the poll tax?

Community charge

What was the original tax system?

It was based on an estimate of the value of each house, so people with expensive houses paid more than people with poor houses

Who were the APTU's?

Local people who organised the protests

What were the effects of the resistance to the poll tax?

Many think it could have led to Thatcher resigning

What was non-payment?

Refusing to pay but not as individuals- organised local groups would defend all those taken to court

How would the Community Charge (Poll Tax) affect local authorities?

Would help make local authorities more answerable to the people paying their charges