Catalogue Number
NBS I/D 264
Object Name
banner
Title
POPLAR LABOUR PARTY
Place
Poplar & London & England & UK
Creator(s)
NBS National Museum of Labour HistoryNBS National Museum of Labour History
Description
Images on Front
Gold lettering on red ground, small image of labour party symbol at base in centre.
Images on Back
No
Notes
Image on front: Gold lettering appliqued to red ground. Labour Party symbol at lower centre. Image: Copyright & courtesy of National Museum of Labour History. Copying of images is strictly prohibited.
Label text 2011
Poplar Labour Party banner, undated
This simple banner bears an early Labour Party logo which combines a flaming torch, signifying education, a quill to symbolise learning and a shovel representing the workers. The design was the result of a competition created when labour supporters were invited to send in their proposed designs. The logo was used until 1983.
Poplar in East London holds an important place in the history of the Labour movement, as the location of the Poplar rates dispute of 1921. After World War I the population suffered high unemployment and destitution. Its unemployed relied on borough poor-relief. As a poor borough, its councillors made a stand against payment of a services rate of £270,000 to London County Council. They were jailed for contempt of court, the women going to Holloway and the men to Brixton prison. George Lansbury, Poplar's Mayor, and later labour leader was amongst those imprisoned.
Materials: Ground of cotton (or cotton mixture) with machine trimmed lower edge. Polyester fringed braid and machine applied lettering.
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