Poplar Rates Rebellion

The Poplar Rates Rebellion, or Poplar Rates Revolt was a tax protest that took place in Poplar, London in 1921. It was led by George Lansbury, the Labour Mayor of Poplar, with the support of the Poplar Borough Council, most of whom were industrial workers. The protest defied government, the courts, and the Labour Party leadership.

Related Topics:
Poplar, London - 1921 - George Lansbury - Labour - Poplar Borough

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Poplar (now in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets) was, and remains, one of the poorest districts of London; there was no government support to alleviate the high unemployment, hunger, and poverty in the borough. After constitutional struggles with the government to achieve equalisation of the rates with the wealthier West London boroughs, Poplar Council decided to withhold the rates revenue and devote the money instead to a comprehensive programme of social reform and poor relief, including equal pay for women and a minimum wage for Council workers.

Related Topics:
London Borough of Tower Hamlets - London

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The Government responded by issuing a summons to the High Court. The council's response was to organise a procession of 2,000 supporters from Bow, led by the official mace-bearer, to the accompaniment of a band and a banner proclaiming, "Poplar Borough Council marching to the High Court and possibly to prison". Thirty councillors, including six women, one of whom was pregnant, were sent to prison for six weeks for "contempt" for refusing a court order to remit the monies. The men were put up in Brixton Prison, and the women in Holloway. The latter were taken by cab to Brixton where council meetings were held.

Related Topics:
Bow - Brixton Prison - Holloway

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The revolt received wide public support. Lansbury addressed crowds that regularly gathered outside, through the prison bars. Neighbouring councils threatened to take similar action. Trade unions passed resolutions of support and collected funds for the councillors' families. "Poplarism" became a political term associated with large-scale municipal relief for the poor and needy, and also with local defiance of central government. Eventually the Court responded to public opinion and ordered the Councillors released, which occasioned great celebrations in Poplar. Meanwhile, a bill, The London Authorities (Financial Provision) Act 1921, was rushed through Parliament more or less equalising tax burdens between rich and poor boroughs.

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