Catalogue Number
NBS I/D 233
Object Name
banner, replica ?
Title
POPLAR BOROUGH COUNCIL MARCHING TO THE HIGH COURT AND POSSIBLY TO PRISON TO SECURE EQUALISATION OF RATES FOR THE POOR BOROUGHS
Place
Poplar & London & England & UK
People
Lansbury, George
Events
Poplar Rates Dispute
Date
1984
Creator(s)
NBS National Museum of Labour HistoryNBS National Museum of Labour History
Description
The banner records the celebrated campaign of the Poplar borough councillors during the Poplar rates dispute of 1921.
The post-war years in Poplar meant high unemployment and destitution, with its unemployed falling back on Poplar borough poor-relief. A comparatively poor London borough, its councillors made a resolute stand against payment of a services rate of £270,000 to London County Council. At the High Court the councillors were jailed en masse for contempt of court, the women going to Holloway and the men to Brixton prison. George Lansbury, Poplar's mayor, and Minnie Lansbury were amongst the leading figures, the latter suffering from the privations in prison.
The councillors won a temporary victory. The government introduced a bill for the partial equalization of rates over all London boroughs. Poplar rates fell by 6 shillings and sixpence in the pound.
Materials: plain woven cotton, painted
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