PROTEST, POVERTY AND POWER - A CASE-STUDY OF THE ANTI-POLL TAX MOVEMENT

In 1989-90 a regressive local tax, the Community Charge or poll tax as it became known, was introduced by the Conservative government. Its implementation was met by widespread sometimes violent protest, and a systematic campaign of non-payment. In response the tax was replaced by the more progressive Council Tax. This paper considers the nature of the anti-poll tax protest. Its social base, forms of organisation and tactics are considered in relation to theoretical debates about new social movements and poor people's movements.