The Community Charge, commonly referred to as the 'poll tax', was introduced in Scotland as a fundamental change to local government financing by the government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Unlike the previous system which levied rates based on property values, the Community Charge required each adult resident to pay a flat rate irrespective of income or property wealth. This new tax structure was intended to increase local government accountability and provide a more straightforward system for funding local services. The Community Charge was introduced in Scotland in 1989, prior to its rollout in England and Wales, as part of Thatcher's broader strategy of deregulation and local autonomy.

The introduction of the Community Charge was met with substantial backlash from the public and political groups. Many Scots viewed the new tax as unfair since it disproportionately impacted lower-income individuals, who would pay the same amount as wealthier citizens. This perception of inequity sparked a series of protests, including notable demonstrations such as the 1990 poll tax riot in London. Existing civic organizations and new grassroots movements mobilized against the legislation, drawing attention to social and economic inequalities exacerbated by the tax.

As discontent grew, the governing Conservative Party faced increasing scrutiny and dissent from both the public and within its ranks. The significant opposition to the Community Charge played a critical role in reshaping political discourse in the UK, leading to electoral backlash for the Conservatives. The unpopular nature of the tax ultimately contributed to its repeal in the mid-1990s, paving the way for the introduction of the council tax, which sought to address some of the perceived flaws of the Community Charge by considering property value in local taxation.