Badge, lapel badge

This badge was produced as part of the national campaign against the Poll Tax or 'Community Charge'. In 1990 Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government introduced the Poll Tax in England. The tax was implemented to fund local authorities and was based on a single rate for adult residents rather than on the price of property. The tax meant poorer residents had to pay the same amount of tax as their wealthier counterparts.

The Poll Tax sparked a national outcry and led to a mass movement of non-payment across Britain. A national demonstration against the Poll Tax on the 31 March 1990 led to rioting in central London. Thousands of protestors clashed with riot police in Trafalgar Square. Opposition to the Poll Tax led to Margaret Thatcher's political downfall and resulted in the new system of Council Tax being introduced in 1993.