h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The reference to "Poll Tax" is slightly misleading: the euphemistic title chosen for it was "Community Charge". It was its opponents who pointed out the similarity to the ancient, discredited and abandoned Poll Tax. This then became almost universally adopted - apart from by the government.

Incidentally, when M. Thatcher became Prime Minister, I was pleased and proud that MY country had both a female monarch and a female head of government. I felt that there was the possibilty of a break from male dominated politics and a good chance for social improvement.
I had been wrong before; I have been wrong since, but never so spectacularly.

plaguesville (male)

I remember how Thatcher was always keen to deny that she owed anything to feminism - even though if it hadn't been for the sacrifices made by the Suffragettes a few years before she was born, she might not have been allowed to vote, never mind become Prime Minister.
The other day, I read that Ann Widdecombe is being suggested as a possible candidate for the Tory leadership if the party is badly beaten again at the next General Election. I almost suspect a Tory male chauvinist conspiracy, along the lines of "Let's keep choosing really appalling women as our leader. That'll put everyone off the idea of women in high office."

To Plaugesville
It was a tax collected per head, so no matter what they called it.
It was still a bloody Poll Tax!!

What a cynic you are!
They wouldn't do that!
(Would they?)
And if they did, wouldn't they put forward the really dishy ones like .... erm ...

Hey, Bald Bloke,
Stop revving that engine, man.
Gaskets aren't always easy to find.
Am I to gather from the tone of your message that you are particularly friendly with Zaphod, and defending his interests?
That cat can stick up for himself, baby.
And doubtless has on many occasions.

Just visited your page.
More like a library than a page.
Will return when I've a month to spare.
What am I doing mixing with geniuses?
Wow.

Just visited your page.
I've seen Sunday supplements with less content.
Will return with a picnic hamper.
How many geniuses are there in the universe?
And are they all researchers?
Wow.
If I'd not lied about my height I wouldn't be in this mess.