Catalogue Number
NMLH.1994.168.215
Object Name
Poster
Title
Stop Thatcher's Police Bill poster
Place
Tower Hamlets & London
Events
1984-1985 miners' strike
Date
1984
Description
A3 black and white poster titled "Stop Thatcher's Police Bill, Before It Stops You." There is an image of four figures, two in the back, and two younger men at the front. The person on the right is holding a placard saying "1984, George Orwell School, Big Sisters Watching you." With a sketch of Margaret Thatcher on the placard. The bottom of the poster says "Fight back with: Tower Hamlets Young Communist League 1 Brady Street E1." There is a phone number on the side - "Phone: 251.4406." This is referring to Thatcher's policy towards policing and law and order - after she became prime minister in 1979, "law and order" became a priority in her domestic policy. This included boosting police powers and resources. In the 1980s, police powers of stop and search were particularly prominent during the race riots, in which many were racially profiled under the guise of "law and order." Police presence was also heavily utilised during the 1984-1985 miners strikes. Margaret Thatcher was prime
minister from 1979-1990 - the poster could be referring the Police and Criminal Evidence Act in 1984, which instituted a legislative framework for the powers of the police. The act was thought to give extra powers to the police, in a time when mistreatment from the police towards the public, was very high. The placard the two figures are holding refers to George Orwell's book, 1984. The themes in this book include censorship, totalitarianism, mass surveillance, and the police state- the dictator in the book is referred to as "Big Brother" - hence the poster referring to Thatcher as "Big Sisters Watching you!" This poster is in good condition.
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