by Yavnik Ganguly, South East London Socialist Party
On 21 September, South East London Socialist Party organised a public event in Plumstead, to discuss our party’s involvement in the anti-poll tax movement, which eventually led to the resignation of prime minister Margaret Thatcher.
The event was organised after a local artist, Jack Walker, painted a mural for a pub depicting working-class resistance starting with Peasants rebellions to anti-poll tax movement. The brilliant mural depicts the strong working-class solidarity, across different ethnic communities and cultures, which defeated the poll tax and Thatcher.
The poll tax was introduced by Thatcher’s government. For working-class families who were already suffering, the poll tax posed the threat of being financially ruinous.
Militant, the predecessor of the Socialist Party, played a key role in building the mass non-payment campaign, which resulted in approximately 18 million people refusing to pay the tax. This accounted for just under one-third of the entire adult population, which was a historic display of class solidarity. The magistrates courts were overwhelmed with a staggering 25 million cases of non-payment of tax between April 1990 and September 1993. Enforcement of the tax became impossible.
The event organised in Plumstead was an inspiring discussion about the anti-poll tax movement, up to 40 people attended from the local community, raising £209.03 for the fighting fund.
Jack Walker, who is related to individuals who were involved with Militant at the time of the anti-poll tax movement, spoke about the painting. Bill Mullins, who was a regional secretary of Militant at the time and a key organiser for the anti-poll tax unions in the West Midlands, then spoke about the role the party played in this historic movement.
Members of the public in attendance also contributed to the discussion, including other individuals who were involved in the movement themselves. Berkay Kartav, London Socialist Party regional organiser, chaired the discussion, and ended by linking the anti-poll tax struggle with working-class struggles today, and the role of Militant, now the Socialist Party. Younger attendees got to hear directly from the older generation who were involved in the victorious struggle. The event served as an important reminder of the power of the working class when united.