---
title: Poll Tax Riot at Trafalgar Square
author: James Bourne
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21804/poll-tax-riot-at-trafalgar-square/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)
updated: 2026-05-11
---

# Poll Tax Riot at Trafalgar Square

_Authored by James Bourne_

## Image File

[![Poll Tax Riot at Trafalgar Square](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21804.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21804.jpg)

## Image Caption

Poll tax riot at Trafalgar Square, photograph by James Bourne, London, 31 March 1990.

Margaret Thatcher's poll tax was a controversial new fiscal policy she attempted to implement in her final year as prime minister. Although the negative public reaction to the tax did not directly lead to her resignation, it did influence many in her party to abandon her and force her out of office.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Bourne, J. (2026, May 11). Poll Tax Riot at Trafalgar Square. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21804/poll-tax-riot-at-trafalgar-square/>
### Chicago
Bourne, James. "Poll Tax Riot at Trafalgar Square." *World History Encyclopedia*, May 11, 2026. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21804/poll-tax-riot-at-trafalgar-square/>.
### MLA
Bourne, James. "Poll Tax Riot at Trafalgar Square." *World History Encyclopedia*, 11 May 2026, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21804/poll-tax-riot-at-trafalgar-square/>.

## License & Copyright

[![copyright source](/images/partners/wikipedia-small.png)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poll_Tax_Riot_31st_Mar_1990_Trafalgar_Square_-_Horse_Charge.jpg)Based on [Wikipedia](http://www.wikipedia.org/ "Wikipedia") content that has been reviewed, edited, and republished. [Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poll_Tax_Riot_31st_Mar_1990_Trafalgar_Square_-_Horse_Charge.jpg) by [**James Bourne**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Poll_Tax_Riot_31st_Mar_1990_Trafalgar_Square_-_Horse_Charge.jpg). Submitted by [Franco R. Batista Garcia](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/francobatista022/ "User Page: Franco R. Batista Garcia"), published on 11 May 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon a work even for commercial reasons, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.