1253 West breakdown ad 22.01:Layout 1 22/1/09 12:15 Page 1
and the right to be consulted in matters that pertain activists feel disengaged about the process what This government’s profligacy is beyond reproach.
to you whether as an individual or how you ply your does the future hold for local politics? Surely you’d have thought that he would have
trade is now enshrined in the Human Rights Act
learned a lesson or two by now. Last year when
(Blame Mr Blair for that one), and further protection Perhaps we should meet fire with fire, or in this case
he peered through his rose-tinted glasses, he
A Westminster Policy means
is afforded in the Local Government Act 1999, that farce with farce; imagine a council that is about to
predicted that the British economy would grow
heralded the concept of ‘Best Value’ that makes it make the decision to remove the numerical limit,
by 2.25 and 2.75% in 2009. In fact, it is now on
a requirement for a local authority to consult with take it from us it is a ‘done deal’, instead of the trade
course to shrink by at least 3.5% this year, which
means he over estimated his tax income by £112
representatives of individuals that pay ‘tax, precept representative standing up and giving the usual spiel
billion! Mr Darling and this government have shot
or levy’ (which means the taxi trade folks.) There is (albeit passionate) about loss of income or over-
free breakdown cover
themselves in the foot for the last time, indeed this
one drawback in all of this however in that none of it ranking and the rest, why doesn’t the first one stand
pathetic Chancellor offered gimmick rather than
means Jack s**t. up and give a three rousing chorus’ of Climb Every
substance and preferred comforting falsehoods
Mountain, the second one can go with a music hall to the difficult and uncomfortable truth in order to
Recently, we have been contacted by several classic like I’m Henry VIII I am, or Any Old Iron, and save his own bacon… Mr Brown, Mr Darling and
drivers complaining that their council has for the finale it would be nice to have a female trade
rest of the labour cronies along with their sleaze
instigated a licensing condition or put licence fees rep give a blinding version of the karaoke classic,
will soon be history… but is Mr Cameron and the
up or taken a rank away etc, and when we asked I will survive. We realise that this will not get the
conservative party any better?
So your cab
‘’fraid so Reggie, but
them what was the consultation process, the decision overturned, but there was no chance of that

reply is invariably that there wasn’t one, on further
anyway, but it might get one of them into the second
Right to reply also available for private hire
has broken down
fortunately I’m insured with
probing, the driver admits that they had a meeting
round of Britain’s Got Talent, and more importantly it
drivers
with a licensing officer or a councillor to discuss
would make it clear to those overblown self-important
Some narrow-minded private hire drivers out there
Ronnie?
it, or what is becoming the council’s favourite tool,
the Westminster... and that means
nonentities, what the trade thinks of the insulting ritual
may not realise that taxi talk Magazine also caters
a questionnaire was sent out to all ‘interested
they are forced to participate in. In short, if they are
for the legitimate private hire trade. In fact, our
parties’. We then break the bad news by informing
treating the democratic process with contempt let’s go
editorial stance is in favour of a two-tier system, FREE Breakdown Cover...
them that they have had their (deeply cynical)
one better.
to which we have, many times, emphasized in
consultation.
past issues of this publication. Indeed, we do have and a lot more...
Who knows it just might bring it home to some of
a right to reply policy for both taxi and private
Councils have always had a history of bulldozing the councillors that they DO have a duty to consult
hire drivers and would prefer if you shared your
decisions through as a trawl though past court and by consulting with the trade they will get a
grievance with the UK’s readership rather than
cases prove, but there have been some successes
better understanding of taxi matters and make a sending a pathetic impromptu e-mail to the editor.
for the individual or individuals along the way. Take
better, more considered and informed decision. We won’t embarrass the individual who sent it in
Liverpool Fleet Owners vs. Liverpool City Council
Over the years the legal requirement imposed on
to us by publishing the content in its entirety, but
back in the early 70s, the council took a decision
a council to consult with affected groups has been
the individual responsible is aggrieved and is sick
to remove the numerical limit on taxis without
turned into a requirement to listen before voting
and tired of articles published in this magazine
on what the licensing officers have instructed the
consulting the taxi drivers, this was successfully
attacking the private hire trade? So much so, he
councillors on which way to vote. This is why we
challenged in court, with none other than Lord
take the view that no one should vote in a local
won’t be renewing his subscription, although the
Denning MR warning councils that if they did not
election because you might as well vote for Barney
magazine is free and the subscriber only pays for
consult with groups or individuals that would be
the Yorkshire Terrier (and as he has just bitten me
the P&P! In his e-mail, he goes on to say that the
affected by the change of policy, the courts would at least he’s got some fight in him) than any local
jealousy and disdain amongst licensed taxi drivers
compel them to engage in meaningful consultation. politician, it doesn’t matter if they are Labour, Tory,
that he refers to bizarrely as ‘Taxi Gods’ is frankly
What Liverpool City Council did next has become
Lib Dem, Monster Ravin’ Looney, BNP, the officers beyond belief and he feels sorry for them… mmm?
the template for all councils that wish to implement
make the decisions. And the deal’s been done On a lighter note however thank you to the private
a policy. The council held a series of meetings with
before the taxi trade reps have entered the council hire driver Seamus 29 from Wallasey Cars on the
taxi trade representatives, then they implemented
chamber - these days they don’t even bother to
Wirral for your poem which can be read on page
EXACTLY THE SAME POLICY to the letter - so
listen, it will always be a forgone conclusion.
22. I’m sure it will go down well with both taxi and
much for ‘meaningful consultation.’ This is the
private hire drivers. Well done.
model Watford used in its recent court case after
Darling, Statesman or fraudster?
the courts overturned the decision to remove the
So Mr (Alistair in Wonderland) Darling delivered
Ricoh Taxi & Private Hire Exhibition
his so called ‘Recession Budget’ last month. He
numerical limit because of lack of consultation.
We’re not sure if you’re all aware, but the Taxi
may be bashing the ‘Bentley Brigade’ and the
This puts taxi representatives between a rock and
And Private Hire Exhibition hosted by PHTM
rich, however this will do very little to alleviate the
a hard place, if they walk away from consultation
and sponsored by Swinton will take place on
scale of our country’s economic troubles. Small
Wednesday and Thursday 27 and 28 of this
The Westminster Policy covers Roadside
because they refuse to have anything to do with
comforts for the ordinary working person such as
month at the Ricoh Arena. For further details see
lip service, the council will tell everyone who cares cigarettes and alcohol has already increased, and
page 21… you never know, we might be there
Assistance and Local Recovery – FREE of charge
to listen that the door is always open and the taxi fuel will go up yet AGAIN in September, where
ourselves! No autographs though.
trade is acting bolshie. However, attending any of
will it all end? As Jack Clyde states in his column
these show trials merely legitimises the council’s
this month: “Nothing but wanton greed”. So all you
And Finally…
The policy may also be extended to include:-
decision, which of course is now trumpeted as
hard-working cabbies need to get ready to brace
Thank you to the London Cab driver(s) who took two
having been achieved with full consultation with
yourselves once again and treble your hours to try
the taxi trade. If anyone out there knows how this
and earn a decent living, courtesy of the Labour
boxes of taxi talk Magazines from the Apothecaries
� National Recovery
government and your local LA of course. We fear
in Great Suffolk Street to give out on Waterloo taxi
can be changed, please contact us and we will
that this government has reached the core of the
rank. Bernie May and myself know who you are and
pass your advice on. Over the years we have
earth and cannot dig the hole any deeper, not
we will reward you for it next month. Nosey people � National Recovery and Homestart
witnessed this no-consultation – consultation more
only for themselves, but also for the nation that
always get their just deserts…!
times than we care to own up to, and the long
they are supposed to represent, the volcano has
term effect is a deep corrosive cynicism that we all but erupted. In all honesty, does Mr Darling Till next month
� National Recovery, Homestart and
both share for all things local government, and if expect us to believe his deceit, lies and spin? David Millward & Derek Cummins
European cover
This policy is managed by local agents
TIME FOR CHOICE
who have all been involved in the Taxi Trade
business in some form.
For details of your nearest Agent
Whatever vehicle you choose, everyone stands
please telephone us on:
to benefit from the right to have a choice.
CURRENT HACKNEY
0845 373 1336
LICENSE CONDITIONS
CHOICE OF VEHICLES
or visit our website:
NO CHOICE
www.mywestminsterinsurance.com
Time for Choice Campaign, Unit 171, 1a Imperial Court, Exchange Street East, Liverpool L2 3AB
Westminster Insurance is a trading name of Tradex Insurance Company Ltd.
Tradex Insurance Company Ltd is regulated and authorised by the Financial Services Authority.
Registered Office: Victory House, 7 Selsdon Way, London E14 9GL. Registered Number 2983873. 30,000 cabbies can’t be wrong!
1253/220109
 
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