General Chat

Dear All

Hello

In 1990, the introduction to the much hated Community Chare Tax "poll tax" caused some of the worst riots seen.

Over 70,000 people were marching on what was supposed to be a peaceful anti-poll tax demonstration when violence flared in central London. The main riot area was in Trafalgar Square.

113 people were injured as well as 20 police horses.

Much of central London was under siege as train stations and shops had to close.

This poll tax was responsible for much hardship for people who genuinely could not afford to pay.

Eventually, it was replaced by the council tax, which was a levy related to the value of a house, not on a set amount to pay regardless of circumstances.

The unpopularity of the poll tax contributed to the downfall of Margaret Thatcher who resigned in November 1990 after 11 years as Prime Minister.

The Peasants' Revolt of 1381 concerned a similarly named tax on people and this resulted in riots too. There were corrupt officials extracting money from people to finance the hundred years war.

Take care all
Very best wishes
xx

Dear All

Hello

Any memories about paying this tax?

Take care
Best wishes
xx

To be perfectly honest, I can't recall any significant impact on the amount we had to pay. If there was an increase in what was the Rates, it was of the same magnitude as the annual rise we had come to expect.

I had a friend who went on demos in Edinburgh & Glasgow.

We did notice a big difference up here, as paying your rent & rates together, you knew they were being paid.
When the Poll Tax came into being in Scotland, before England, so many people said their rates had been cheaper.

But, we all have to pay it, so no bl@@dy point in moaning lolololo

Here in New Zealand the powers-that-be have decreed that there will be an Auckland Super City. Auckland is going to take over Waitakere City in the west, Manukau and Papakura cities in the south, plus Franklin District, North Shore city and Rodney District to the north. There will be one mayor, and about 20 councillors. Franklin in which I live will have only 1 councillor instead of the 12 or so that we currently have. As at least one of the 3 councillors for my ward has absolutely no idea where my road is, what show is there that 1 councillor for the whole area will know?

There are also going to be some separate organisations to run water, transport and other things. The govt. minister who is setting things up will appoint people to run those organisations. He is leader of a party which is dead keen to sell everything off to be run commercially.

Franklin and Rodney wanted to be left out of the Daukland Stupid City. Many people put in submissions (myself included) to the Royal Commission that was looking at the proposal initially and then to the govt. on their proposal. But we have all been ignored, and we dont get a vote on it. We are now told that we will have to pay for the set-up costs. There could be rioting over here. Why should we pay when we dont have any real say in what is happening? Democracy is well and truly dead.

Huia.

The Poll Tax was actually fairer as every adult made a contribution to the services they received.

The riots were by people who suddenly found that they were expected to pay their fair share.