Hundreds of black cab drivers attended this morning’s meeting at which Mayor Boris Johnson was questioned by members of the London Assembly on a range of issues, including help for the trade to make the switch to cleaner vehicles.
A small number of those present repeatedly heckled the Mayor, prompting warnings from chair Tony Arbour that the meeting would be suspended and the public removed unless proceedings were allowed to continue uninterrupted.
However further unrest then broke out after the Mayor used the term “luddite” to describe elements of the trade.
The volume of shouting was so loud that AMs and the Mayor could not be heard, prompting Mr Arbour to suspend the meeting.
The chamber was abandoned after a number of protesters refused to leave the gallery and security were unable to guarantee the safety of the Mayor and Assembly members. The meeting was later reconvened in another part of the building.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police were called to back up City Hall’s security staff and escorted protestors from the building. As the meeting resumed, Assembly Members and the Mayor were told that a member of security staff was “knocked unconscious” and twenty additional staff left “bruised” by the resulting scuffles.
Labour Assembly leader Len Duvall said while politicians would always engage in “knockabout” with one another, they should think about the impact of their words when addressing and talking about others.
He told MayorWatch: “Whilst there is no excuse for the disruptive, and in some cases violent, actions of some in the audience the Mayor needs to understand that it was his name calling which in part sparked today’s incident. City Hall should be a forum for debate and discussion about the issues, not insults and mudslinging.
“I want to praise City Hall staff on the excellent job they did today controlling what was an incredibly high-pressure situation.”
Although London’s cabbies were enthusiastic backers of Mr Johnson’s 2008 Mayoral campaign his relationship with the trade has deteriorated in recent years.
Many members of the trade have grievances about the way Transport for London, which the Mayor chairs, regulates them and there’s widespread anger that TfL has allowed Uber to charge customers via an app which many believe breaks rules on the use of meters which can only be used by black cabs.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Arbour said: “Today’s disruption at Mayor’s Question Time was unnecessary and unfortunate.
“Several members of the City Hall security team were punched, pushed and verbally abused. One was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital. Our understanding is that his condition is now stable and we wish him well soon.
“As a result of interruptions from the public gallery, the democratic process was halted and the Mayor and Assembly Members were moved from the Chamber to continue business in another location. The Assembly is fully aware of the depth of feeling within the licenced taxi industry – but this kind of disruption is unhelpful to the fight for their livelihoods.
“The Transport Committee’s cross-party report into the taxi and private hire industries – ‘Future Proof’ made a number of recommendations to the Mayor and Transport for London and we look forward to their implementation.
“In the meantime, attending City Hall meetings to watch London government in action is encouraged – but verbal and physical attacks are not.”
Today’s behaviour was also criticised by a number of taxi drivers, including long-time campaigner Mark White who tweeted: “It’s one thing being angry, it’s another to undo over a year’s hard work by behaving like a hooligan!”
S Gant says
Boris aka “Mayor of London” used the iconic London Taxi Driver to help get elected and then has turned on them and Londoner’s who should expect and receive that the services they use that are licenced by TFL should be safe. Uber are not safe, they do not have the same driver checks or insurance (Hire & Reward) as London Black Taxi’s and they are also not subject to the same exorbitant running costs of a London Taxi ensuring public safety and comfort.. Uber are a toxic organisation who pay no tax in the UK and yet seem to be endorsed and patronised by Boris and the wider government of this country! I believe that this all started during the Olympics when the London Taxi Driver was practically barred from the event despite having their image used to promote the games during opening ceremonies etc. I wonder why the Bullingdon Club members are so keen to keep Uber going is it because the PM is such good friends with its European Head or is he investing in his future?
Paul W. Sadob says
Due to an traffic accident I am currently on crutches for a few weeks. I am using taxis for most of my journeys to work, shop or socialising. Last week I decided to split my 14 taxi rides equally between black cabs and Uber cabs. As a long time fan of London’s black cabs I was surprised by what I experienced. Four of the seven black cabs were on time compared to all seven Uber cabs. One of the black cab drivers got out to assist me getting into the cab…..six Uber drivers did the same. The financial savings with Uber were a moderate 18% but all in all the service was superior by a long shot.
I will still use black cabs but it is certainly high time some stiff competition made them improve their service in the future. I remain a fan but a far more critical one.
Yours,
Paul W. Sadob