All Britain Anti-Poll Tax Federation

The All Britain Anti Poll Tax Federation ("the Fed") was an organisation in Scotland, England and Wales 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 Militant tendency was the main force in the Federation. [http://www.militant.org.uk/PollTax.html]

The BBC technicians' union, Broadcasting and Entertainment Trades Alliance (Beta) affiliated to the Fed, unlike many other trade unions. [Militant (1991) "We Beat The Poll Tax" pg.3]

Formation

Prior to the first conference of the Fed, a steering committee was organised by 20 regional anti-poll tax federations, with Tommy Sheridan as chair and had gained the support of 15 Labour MPs. [Taaffe, P. (1995) "The Rise of Militant", London, Militant Publications pg.354]

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. [Taaffe, P. (1995) "The Rise of Militant", London, Militant Publications pp.355-6] 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. [Reynolds, M. (1992) "Uncollectable: The Story of the Poll Tax Revolt", Manchester: Greater Manchester Anti-Poll Tax Federation pg.32]

The Scottish Fed had been established a year earlier. [Militant (1991) "We Beat The Poll Tax" pg.5]

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. [Militant (1991) "We Beat The Poll Tax" pg.5] This view was opposed by some Labour MPs such as Harry Barnes and groups such as the Socialist Workers Party. [Taaffe, P. (1995) "The Rise of Militant", London, Militant Publications pp.374-376] . Eventually around 18 million people refused to pay the Poll Tax. [Taaffe, P. (1995) "The Rise of Militant", London, Militant Publications pp.431]

Demonstrations

The first demonstrations organised by the Fed were the 200,000 strong demonstration in London, parts of which turned into the Poll Tax Riots, and a simultaneous 50,000 strong demonstration in Glasgow on 31 March 1990. [Taaffe, P. (1995) "The Rise of Militant", London, Militant Publications pp.377] . Federation leaders Tommy Sheridan and Steve Nally criticised the participants of the poll tax riot, and were said to promise to "name names" [ [http://libcom.org/library/poll-tax-rebellion-danny-burns-reviewed-wildcat-uk-1993 Poll Tax Rebellion by Danny Burns - reviewed by Wildcat (UK), 1993] - retrieved 22/08/07] however, Militant claimed that this was "Totally false" and criticised those such as Roy Hattersley had called for punishment of those involved. [Taaffe, P. (1995) "The Rise of Militant", London, Militant Publications pp.384]

They also organised a 50,000 strong march in London the following year on 23 March 1991. [Militant (1991) "We Beat The Poll Tax" pg.8]

Officers

*Chair - Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow)
*Secretary - Steve Nally (Lambeth)
*Treasurer - Maureen Reynolds (Manchester)
*Communications Officer - Kevin Miles (Wallsend) - elected in 1990 [Taaffe, P. (1995) "The Rise of Militant", London, Militant Publications pp.355]

References

External links

* [http://www.militant.org.uk/PollTax.html Miltant's role in defeating the poll tax]
* [http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/militant/mil2frame.htm?ch35.htm Peter Taffe "The Rise of Militant"]
* [http://www.akpress.org/1996/items/polltaxrebellion Danny Burns "Poll Tax Rebellion"]
** [http://libcom.org/library/poll-tax-rebellion-danny-burns-reviewed-wildcat-uk-1993 reviewed by Wildcat UK]
** [http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/ws94/ws42_poll.html reviewed in Workers Solidarity]