All Britain Anti-Poll Tax Federation
Encyclopedia
The All Britain Anti Poll Tax Federation ("the Fed") was an organisation in Great Britain
to co-ordinate the activities of local Anti-Poll Tax Unions
(APTUs) campaigning against the Community Charge
("poll tax
") brought in by Margaret Thatcher
's Conservative government in 1989 (Scotland) and 1990 (England and Wales).
The BBC technicians' union, Broadcasting and Entertainment Trades Alliance
(Beta) affiliated to the Fed, unlike many other trade unions.
as chair and had gained the support of 15 Labour MPs.
The first conference was held at Manchester Free Trade Hall on 25 November 1989, attracting around 2000 delegates. It elected a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer as well as a wider steering committee. Fraternal greetings were given by Douggie Daniels from the Manchester Confederation of Engineering Unions, Ken Strath deputy leader of Manchester City Council and a representative from the ambulance workers.
The Scottish Fed had been established a year earlier.
and groups such as the Socialist Workers Party
. Eventually around 18 million people refused to pay the Poll Tax.
, and a simultaneous 50,000 strong demonstration in Glasgow on 31 March 1990. Federation leaders Tommy Sheridan and Steve Nally criticised the participants of the poll tax riot, and were said to promise to "name names" however, Militant claimed that this was "Totally false" and criticised those such as Roy Hattersley
had called for punishment of those involved.
They also organised a 50,000 strong march in London the following year on 23 March 1991.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
to co-ordinate the activities of local Anti-Poll Tax Unions
Anti-Poll Tax Unions
Anti-Poll Tax Unions were set up in local areas throughout Scotland, England and Wales to organise against the Community Charge brought in by Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government in 1989 and 1990 ....
(APTUs) campaigning against the Community Charge
Community Charge
The Community Charge, popularly known as the "poll tax", was a system of taxation introduced in replacement of the rates to part fund local government in Scotland from 1989, and England and Wales from 1990. It provided for a single flat-rate per-capita tax on every adult, at a rate set by the...
("poll tax
Poll tax
A poll tax is a tax of a portioned, fixed amount per individual in accordance with the census . When a corvée is commuted for cash payment, in effect it becomes a poll tax...
") brought in by Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
's Conservative government in 1989 (Scotland) and 1990 (England and Wales).
The BBC technicians' union, Broadcasting and Entertainment Trades Alliance
Broadcasting and Entertainment Trades Alliance
The Broadcasting and Entertainment Trades Alliance was a short-lived British entertainment trade union. It was founded in 1984 with the merger of the Association of Broadcasting Staff and the National Association of Theatrical Television and Kine Employees.The union appointed two General...
(Beta) affiliated to the Fed, unlike many other trade unions.
Formation
Prior to the first conference of the Fed, a steering committee was organised by 20 regional anti-poll tax federations, with Tommy SheridanTommy Sheridan
Tommy Sheridan is a Scottish socialist politician. He has had various prominent roles within the socialist movement in Scotland and is currently one of two co-convenors of the left-wing Scottish political party Solidarity....
as chair and had gained the support of 15 Labour MPs.
The first conference was held at Manchester Free Trade Hall on 25 November 1989, attracting around 2000 delegates. It elected a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer as well as a wider steering committee. Fraternal greetings were given by Douggie Daniels from the Manchester Confederation of Engineering Unions, Ken Strath deputy leader of Manchester City Council and a representative from the ambulance workers.
The Scottish Fed had been established a year earlier.
Mass Non-Payment Campaign
The Fed argued for a mass campaign of non-payment of the poll tax, as had been adopted at its founding conference. This view was opposed by some Labour MPs such as Harry BarnesHarry Barnes
Harold Barnes is an English politician who was the Labour Party Member of Parliament for North East Derbyshire from 1987 to 2005....
and groups such as the Socialist Workers Party
Socialist Workers Party (Britain)
The Socialist Workers Party is a far left party in Britain founded by Tony Cliff. The SWP's student section has groups at a number of universities...
. Eventually around 18 million people refused to pay the Poll Tax.
Demonstrations
The first demonstrations organised by the Fed were the 200,000 strong demonstration in London, parts of which turned into the Poll Tax RiotsPoll Tax Riots
The UK Poll Tax Riots were a series of mass disturbances, or riots, in British towns and cities during protests against the Community Charge , introduced by the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher...
, and a simultaneous 50,000 strong demonstration in Glasgow on 31 March 1990. Federation leaders Tommy Sheridan and Steve Nally criticised the participants of the poll tax riot, and were said to promise to "name names" however, Militant claimed that this was "Totally false" and criticised those such as Roy Hattersley
Roy Hattersley
Roy Sydney George Hattersley, Baron Hattersley is a British Labour politician, author and journalist from Sheffield. He served as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 1983 to 1992.-Early life:...
had called for punishment of those involved.
They also organised a 50,000 strong march in London the following year on 23 March 1991.
Officers
- Chair - Tommy SheridanTommy SheridanTommy Sheridan is a Scottish socialist politician. He has had various prominent roles within the socialist movement in Scotland and is currently one of two co-convenors of the left-wing Scottish political party Solidarity....
(Glasgow) - Secretary - Steve Nally (Lambeth)
- Treasurer - Maureen Reynolds (Manchester)
- Communications Officer - Kevin Miles (Wallsend) - elected in 1990