Michael Spicer on the poll tax, Thatcher's decline, and taxing billionaires to protect welfare
By
Guest Columnist
An everything bagel for the brain. Substantive, layered, well-seasoned.
Summary
Michael Spicer reflects on his earliest political memory — the poll tax riots and Margaret Thatcher's declining authority as seen through the lens of Spitting Image. The article uses this personal recollection to frame a broader critique of political power, billionaires, and welfare cuts. Spicer argues for making billionaires pay to protect welfare and disability benefits, and expresses strong views on climate deniers in politics.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledThe earliest political memory I have – apart from seeing politicians being lampooned every Sunday night on Spitting Image – was the furore over the poll tax.
The irony of Spitting Image in the 1980s was that it accentuated Margaret Thatcher's image as this intimidating figure of cast-iron assuredness, and consequently that's how I always saw her.
The backlash against the poll tax loosened her grip on power, and for the first time I saw a prime minister whose authority was on the decline.
I'd make billionaires pay so we don't have to cut welfare and disability benefits
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