Now the NT hNTA has raised this issue I wonder ns for lo


ow


if there are possible implications for local authorities under the corporate manslaughter act? After all, they have been given warning of the risk associated with rear loaders.


a


e are possible orities under the c


orities under the


ct? After all, they have bet? After all, they h he risk associated with rear lo


he risk associate


Following the tragic death of a 14-year- d schoolgirl, who was a passenger in a ngham licensed hackney carriage, an


Bi


inquis Coron


inquisition took place on 7 July 2009 before H M Coroner, Mr A K Cotter at Birmingham Coroner’s Court. After hearing the evidence the Coroner ecomm


Following the tragic death of a 14-yea old schoolgirl, who was a passenger in a Birmingham licensed hackney carriage, an n took place on 7 July 2009 before H M


tragic death of a 14-yea who was a passenger in censed hackney carriag place on 7 July 2009 bef


er h


at Birmingham Coron ring the evidence the Coroner


carriage drivers should undergo Disability Awareness Training.


Stupid Cab Drivers s


From time to time I do actually read the editorial. I read with interest the Doom Twins comments on a book by Michael Moore called ‘Stupid White Men’, indeed, I read the editorial so much I dispatched my wife to ‘Waterstones’ to purchase the book for me post haste.


ad t ns com


editorial. nts


Stupid te hase


To be a tad critical, there is a distinct lack of spying, jet fi ghters, hand to hand combat, female mud wrestling and love making (not necessarily in that order) in the book, but nevertheless I persisted with the toffee half of the Doom twins recommendation and to be honest I couldn’t put the book down, in amongst this I had one of those ‘light bulb above the head’ type moments.


As the co-editor suggested and as pointed out by Michael Moore, there is an ample opportunity for the cab trade to effectively take over a political party. Yes, I know, I have consistently said we should not get involved in politics, indeed, I did at one point suggest politicians should have absolutely no say in the taxi trade whatsoever, but then again, I have recently converted myself towards the protection of our planet; because if it results in fewer cabs it will suit me fi ne!


Pay less


strongly recommended that all licensed hackney ers sh


all licensed hackney undergo Disability


evidence the Coroner ded that all licensed hackney Disability


anslau o ue


I am reminded of a story a few years back when a number of cab drivers sat for election in local authority elections, whilst the campaign idea was seemingly sound, it had one key fl aw. Who in their right mind would vote for a cab driver standing as an independent? A far better, far more achievable and far easier goal is for the cab trade on a local level to join a mainstream political party en masse.


ab trad tical pa me,


forget a muc


much of loc seeming


seemingly run e thiefdoms.


prejudices and


thiefdoms. I am pre prejudices and concen


recent report in the


Obviously, this task isn’t exactly the easiest for me, I’m going to have to seriously bite my lip and forget about the nepotism currently seen within much of local politics where family and friends seemingly run entire Cities as their own private thiefdoms. I am prepared to cast aside my prejudices and concentrate on the main issue.


s task


o have epo


ere fam s as thei ast a


ain is


A recent report in the Independent newspaper suggested that on average a massive 40 labour party members would take part in selection eetings when selecting a Labour Party M date. A decent example is Carlisle, whic


suggested that on average a mass party members would take part in sele meetings when selecting a Labour Party MP c


recent report in the Independ ggested that on average members would take par


candidate.


has been more or less a safe labour seat for the 0 years (although this may alter due nges).


when selecting a Labour decent example is Carlis r less a safe labour s


best part of 50 years (although this may alter due to boundary changes). The Cumberland News summed the selection process up far better than myself with the following quote:


t part o undary the


decent example is Carlisle, which more or less a safe labour seat for the (although this may alter


he Cumberland New n process up far better than


follow


rocess up far be quote:


“More than 140 Labour Party members took part in the selection meeting at T


bou


140 people selected a guy to do a job whose annual salary will be £64,766 and he was selected by a massive fi ve…yes FIVE-vote majority? I wonder what would have happened if 70 cab drivers had joined the party, turned up and basically suggested you actually work for us?


ting a ajob


s sele y? I


I am not suggesting we all join the Labour Party en mass, indeed, I am not suggesting we all become MPs, but ask you to look at the political landscape of your local authority area. It may


members took ullie House.”


ook


use.” d


aper


well be the Tories or, heaven forbid, the Lib Dems are the ones that hold the key.


I may be a little sad (what’s with the maybe…Ed?) but imagine the fun you and your association could have if you all joined the Labour Party (or Tories or even BNP) and turned up at a branch or Klan meeting. “I forward a motion that the local party re-limit taxi numbers”.


acc such


Facing facts, we have no reason to suspect political party meetings are better or worse attended than taxi association meetings. Indeed, given the indifference of the British voter and the fact that the mainstream political parties are in the midst of a membership crisis, it could be, as suggested by the Doomier of the Doom twins, that a mere handful of cab drivers could make a difference. Provided enough turn up and it’s in accordance with the constitution, what’s to stop such things from happening?


Got well soon L


Last year one of our members in Carlisle was diagn


ell soo e of


diagnosed with cancer. The taxi trade being thecer T taxi trade, and as much as I tend to highlight the bad things


taxi trade bad things, a hearing of


bad things, are actually quite generous. Upon hearing of the plig


uch as I quite


hearing of the plight of their colleague, both Carlisle


eagu


members and non-m Association organised a gift for the chap in question.


members and non-members of Carlisle Taxi Association organised


Association organised a Get Well Card and small gift for the chap in que


ard a As Chairman of the local association


in the eft it th


airman of the local associatio he task of taking the card and present to chap’s home. Well, not being the sharpest knife’s home. Well, not being the sharpest kn aw


the task of taking the card and present to the ch


ed


in the draw, I put the card in my briefcase and left it there. Fortunately the chap got better and has returned to work. I’ll take this opportunity to a long,


being the sharpest kn card in my briefcase and


Fortunately the chap got better and wish Mike a long, happy and prosperous life. Wayne Casey


ely the chap got better and work. I’ll take this opportunity to osperous life.


take this opportunity to appy and prosperous life.


As Chairman of the local association I was given of taking the card and pre


n


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February 2010


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