The Community Charge
Trends in public support for the "poll tax" between the first discussion of its introduction and the final reversal of the policy
Q Do you support or oppose the government adopting the following policy? Replacing the system of domestic rates with a fixed charge paid by people in each household aged over 18
Support | Oppose | Don't know | Net support | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 June 1987 | % | 43 | 39 | 18 | +4 |
19 October 1987 | % | 37 | 49 | 14 | -12 |
29-30 December 1987 | % | 23 | 65 | 12 | -42 |
17-18 March 1988* | % | 22 | 60 | 18 | -38 |
3-6 June 1988 | % | 31 | 61 | 8 | -30 |
November 1988 | % | 28 | 61 | 11 | -33 |
16-17 March 1989 | % | 23 | 69 | 8 | -46 |
23-24 November 1989 | % | 25 | 68 | 7 | -43 |
30 December 1989-3 January 1990 | % | 25 | 68 | 7 | -43 |
Base: c. 1,000 GB adults aged 18+ in each survey * Q wording March 1988: "Q. Do you support or oppose the government's proposal to replace the current system of domestic rates with a fixed charge paid by people in each household aged over 18, known as the 'Community Charge' or 'Poll Tax'?"
Q (March) On the whole would you say you approve or disapprove of the community charge or poll tax? Q (April) As you may know, the government has recently replaced the system of local rates with a community charge or poll tax paid by every adult in each household. On balance do you approve or disapprove of this charge?Approve | Disapprove | Don't know | Net approve | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
3-5 March 1990 | % | 19 | 76 | 5 | -57 |
19-24 April 1990 | % | 23 | 73 | 4 | -50 |
Base: c. 1,000 GB adults aged 18+ in each survey
Q The government is reviewing the Community Charge or Poll Tax. Which of these three options would you most like to see for raising finance for Local Government spending?8 March 1991 | |
---|---|
% | |
Keep the community charge/poll tax as it is now | 9 |
Have a charge based only on the value of people's homes | 52 |
Have a charge based partly on the value of people's homes plus a flat rate (e.g. £100) per adult living there | 31 |
Other | 6 |
No opinion | 2 |
Base: c. 1,000 GB adults aged 18+
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