In March 1921, faced with a massive increase in the rate, the Council refused to cut the level of relief to the poor and withheld £270,000 in contributions required by the London County Council (LCC) until the wealthy West End boroughs took a fairer share. The council ignored a court order to pay, and in September the majority, led by George Lansbury were sent to prison. Faced with a threatened rent strike and enormous popular support for the councillors, the LCC and the Government eventually gave way and the High Court released them in October.

This photograph shows a group of the councillors with their solicitor, W.H.Thompson, after their release from Brixton Prison. The five women councillors were sent to Holloway Prison.

Title	Poplar Rate Strike, 1921
Maker	--
Production Date	1921
Format	Photograph
Copyright	Thompsons
Holding Institution	TUC Library Collections, London Metropolitan University
Related Objects	--