The
Poll Tax and Margaret Thatcher disappeared in perfect unison, never to return.
Chancellor Nigel Lawson also warned that introducing the
Poll Tax would leave the Tories exposed to "unacceptable political risks".
In July 1987 he approached Mrs Thatcher to express his concern over the level of opposition he was facing from councils over plans to phase in the
poll tax over a period of years.
In July 1987 Mr Ridley approached Mrs Thatcher to voice concerns about the level of opposition he faced from councils over plans to phase in the
poll tax.
He approached Thatcher in July 1987 to express his concern over the level of opposition he was facing from councils over plans to phase in the
poll tax.
The state argued that the new law rendered the
poll tax argument moot.
In England and Wales, councils are barred from chasing
poll tax after six years.
But, while there was widespread organised resistance to the
poll tax and active non-payment, some city residents who have recently been hit with backdated bills are adamant they know nothing about what they supposedly owe.
The
poll tax - $2 a year, levied on males only - set a pre-condition to voting, requiring the ability to read.
As a footnote, it would be interesting to see the effect if the various Socialist groups who so effectively organised the violent demonstrations against the
Poll Tax were to turn their energies, in similar fashion, to protests against VAT and Road Tax using the same logic.
NOW we know why Mr Blair wants to impose a
poll tax on our roads - it is a directive from the EU.
Had the Conservative Party kept its nerve and refused to climb down, the
poll tax might even have achieved its stated aim of making people realise just how much it costs to fund local authorities.