In fact, Labour's embrace of Against the Poll Tax Whether it's 'Can't Pay' or Won't Pay', councils aren't really bothered about who they put in prison. Thursday October 3, the rabidly ( Tory Rushcliffe borough council attempted to jail Evelyn Arsian.
he council had already sent one person down - activist Soroosh Ayandeh, for the maxImum term of three monts! Before going into court, Evelyn, Poll Tax union all felt she had a strong case. She eared so little that it would have taken the council seven years to deduct the money from her wages just o pay off last year's Poll Tax restment form. But because she earned so little, the council promptly returned it and sent in the bailiffs - with no success. Yet still the council summonsed her to a committal hearing-and still the court tried its hardest to send her down!
was given suspended sentence and ordered to pay the full amount with four weeks; so much for our classless, caring society.
Such vindictiveness can only fue the anger and resentment against the Tories. Their attempts to smash the non-payment campaign by the threat of imprisonment is doomed mure Resistance asainst the tax is far too strong - and the debt far too lengthy.
hroughout the country hundreds of similar struggles are being waged daily, both in the courts and axainst the bailiffs. With the Great Poll Tax sebe on in rau swins, the need for a unified campaign and a conerent nationa. voice has never been greater. Over recent months the All-Britain Anti- Poll Tax Federation has been deafeningly silent.
In order to ensure the final burial of the Poll Tax we need to maximise the fight against it. It is crucial that solidarty and support networks are forged. and that communication, both regionally and nationally, be strengthened. The 'Finishing ference in Manchester has the Potenta tor dois just that Organised by independent anti Poll tax groups across the country, the conference promises to be a welcome relief stage-managed rallies that we have seen in the past. I is esschna that local groups get involved.
This is our campaien and if we really do want to see an amnesty for non-payers and Poll cuts in local services as well as the lax itselt, then the campaign needs to be united. No. 10 Oct. 26, 1991