Motorcyclist, 24, killed in Maida Vale crash. Minicab driver arrested at scene.

A 24-year-old man has been killed and another man arrested in a smash between a minicab and motorbike in west London.

The young motorcyclist died at the scene of the crash, which happened on Sutherland Avenue in Maida Vale at around 11.20pm on Thursday night.

Police raced to the road, at the junction with Shirland Road, and found the man seriously injured.

Paramedics fought to save his life but he died around half an hour later.

The driver of the car, a 22-year-old man, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He is currently in custody at a central London police station, a Met spokeswoman said.

The motorcyclist’s next of kin have been informed.

His body will be formally identified and a post-mortem examination carried out.

Police closed the road and enquiries continue.

The Met are asking anyone with information or who witnessed the collision to contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

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Ex-Rugby Star Used Uber Driver To Run 'Breaking Bad' Crystal Meth Factory In Bayswater.

A former rugby star was convicted after copying the hit TV show Breaking Bad to rake in hundreds of thousands of pounds by cooking crystal meth.

Lorenzo Bocchini, 36, set up a hi-tech drugs laboratory in his luxurious Little Venice home, where police recovered £300,000 of drugs, £33,000 cash and a stun gun.

Crystal meth at the flat was found to have been dyed blue — the colour of a narcotic created by fictional drug baron Walter White in Breaking Bad.

Bocchini’s brother Alessandro, 43, was arrested along with his wife Justine, 36, in the same police operation eight months earlier at their Bayswater home.

Officers recovered crystal meth, MDMA and £12,210 in cash. The couple pleaded guilty to a string of drugs offences, including possession with intent to supply crystal meth, the designer drug mephedrone, ecstasy and cocaine. They were jailed earlier for six and four years respectively.

Footage seized from CCTV inside their home showed the pair counting thousands of pounds worth of cash just hours before they were raided.

Police say the family members ran a wholesale drugs distribution network using an Uber driver as a courier to transport packages to users around London, referring to the deliveries as “T-bags”.

A financial investigation identified £100,000 of drugs money went via the couple’s bank accounts in the six months before their arrest.

In total, detectives believe they have identified millions of pounds of assets, including a flat in Dubai.

The family were targeted by detectives from Lambeth police’s Omega drugs and firearms team in a long-running surveillance and intelligence operation. Detectives had been investigating a spate of deaths from chemsex drugs such as GHB, including fatalities at a gay sauna in Vauxhall.

Today Det Con Matt Clark, who led the investigation, said: “The Bocchini family were making significant profits selling highly dangerous and addictive class A drugs. What we uncovered was the wholesale supply of crystal methlyamphetamine and other drugs, focusing on the ‘chemsex’ scene in south London.

“The use of crystal meth within this scene is hugely damaging and we believe there are strong connections to drug deaths, rape and child sexual exploitation, links which we continue to investigate.”

Alessandro was identified as a supplier of wholesale amounts of crystal meth and police raided his Bayswater house last November.

His wife Justine, the mother of two young children, told officers as the pair were held: “It was a good life.” During interviews, both denied possessing or dealing drugs and Justine claimed she just “baked cup cakes”.

However, photographic evidence from Alessandro’s phone showed a kitchen table laden with crystal meth in a preparation phase prior to sale, with a text message from him that read: “Well cooked my little chef.”

His brother Lorenzo was due to be sentenced at Southwark crown court on December 1 for drugs supply offences. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing.

When officers raided his rented flat in July, as well as drugs and cash they found sachets of dye used to colour the crystal meth blue in an apparent copy of the Breaking Bad series.

Police say all three offenders grew hooked on the drugs they supplied.

Det Insp Stephen Payne, of Omega squad, said the case was unusual because none of the main offenders were previously known to police.

He added: “In that sense it was like the Breaking Bad scenario. These were professional people who made a choice to go into this venture. They were not career criminals but were looking for an opportunity to make money out of nothing.

“They lived a high-roller, Breaking Bad lifestyle, not really knowing what to do with the cash. They even seemed to adopt the Breaking Bad signature of dying their crystal meth blue.”

Lorenzo Bocchini played as a prop for two Italian club sides in his career between 2000 and 2010, including for Viadana in the Heineken Cup.
In 2010 he was named by the British press as one of the players from the L’Aquila club who helped survivors when an earthquake hit the town.

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Driver Makes Stand Against TfL...And Wins.

One late evening on my way back to Heathrow I stopped at the BP garage on the A4 and set on the forecourt to eat my sandwich. I looked up and saw a sign that read by parking here more than 30 minutes you agreed to pay a £100 fine or words to that effect. This gave me an idea, the rest is history...

On the morning of 1 November 2016 two things happened, the first being this, upon entering the north feeder park I was confronted by compliance officers and a police officer who I noticed was handing out TfL envelopes containing CC stickers.

I asked the officer what he thought he was doing as I believe that what was going on was a civil matter.

He responded by saying he was assisting.

Upon further questioning he told me he was there to prevent a breach of the peace.

I've been Austin had a breach of the peace been reported!

He said no.

The second thing to happen was this, I arrived at terminal five buffer lane in mid afternoon to be confronted by two compliance officers, One of which approach me and asked me why the taxi wasn't displaying TFL stickers, to which I replied no where in the Metropolitan carriage at 1869 all the London carriage and stage act 1907 or any TfL literature does it state that I am physically obliged to play stickers in my vehicle. I told this TfL employee if you would like to place them with him self after reading my terms and conditions it was more than welcome to do so. 

My terms and conditions are as follows:

Before affixing any notice sticker or effort Tyson to the vehicle please read the following.

By affixing a noticed sticker or advertisement to this vehicle, you will have agreed to contract and you will become liable for the following fee schedule.

NOTICE...................£5,000 

STICKER..................£5,000

ADVERTISEMENT.. £5,000

I asked the compliance officer if he had read and understood this, he replied that he didn't.

He then told me "you must stick them on" to which I replied "there was no legal and lawful requirement for me to do it but if you wanted me to do it, I would write you an invoice for the work". Which he declined.

I have then made the video below which categorically stated to him that I was not refusing to play stickers et cetera and she was more than welcome to do it.

Two days later I received the stop note for 

"non-compliance, external signage does not comply with guidelines 6,2,1.", with additional notes being "refusal to display stickers or credit card payment device in the taxi".

I immediately phoned TfL enforcement and told them I wanted to make a formal complaint against their compliance officer for lying, stating that I had irrefutable video evidence that I have not refused.

After telling Sonia Allman (enforcement manager) to remove the illegal stop no on my vehicle I was told, "there may have been a mistake".

She then requested me to email her with the details of what had occurred which I did. A short time later I received a response stating that she was sorry and that my vehicle should not have been declared unfit, and I was free to continue working. 

Since TfL have stated that my vehicle is not on fit, one can reasonably assume the opposite to be true that it is fit.

I believe my stand against TfL has done two things, firstly it is shone a spotlight on the unions who claim to represent us. Why haven't they come up with anything to halt the onslaught from TfL?

Why has it been left to the drivers themselves?

I have seen the minutes of the tear film board meeting where it was decided that all London taxis must take credit cards and pay for the privilege and it stated that Bob Oddy declared an interest and didn't speak!

So much for representation!

I was also told by Unite after telling them of my interaction with the police at Heathrow, to "put my "f***ing" stickers in like everyone else" so not much out there either.

The second thing my action has highlighted is this, TfL have no authority,  let me say that again "TfL  have no authority", the reason I say this is as follows, on TfLs own website it states:

"TfL is a statutory body created by the Greater London Authority (GLA) Act 1999. 

This act gives the Mayors of London a general duty to develop and apply policies to promote and encourage safe integrated efficient and economic transport facilities and services to, from and within London.

When carrying out his duties the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan must abide by the law like everyone else.

He must cause no harm loss or injury to a third party. Remember the 3.9% being siphoned out of your wages and being paid to a private company.

Not only does the mayor have no authority, he has actually committed a criminal offence of misconduct in a public office (malfeasance).

The current conditions of fitness state "no advertisements to be allowed on glazed areas, except to rear wit no advertise months to be allowed in glazed areas except to react windscreen. When the consultation took place, was it explained to the 536 drivers who replied that mandatory acceptance came with a 3.95% +20p pay cut ?

It will take on average two weeks work for year to pay WorldPay/VeriFone 3.95% surcharge....hold on a minute, WorldPay......? 

TfL board member Mr Ron Kalifa, is Deputy Chairman of credit card system provider WorldPay and is also a non executive director of Visa Europe, so no conflict of interest there then.

See video below :

    

Editorial Comment :

Hang on a minute....is that TfL board member Mr Ron Kalifa, giving out stop notes for not displaying his stickers?

 

We understand that Jamie has made contacted with TfLTPH to ask why a compliance officer lied, why his stop note was rescinded, plus he's asked them to supply him a billing address. 

As yet, TfL haven't replied.

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Letter To Taxi Leaks : Uber Has Become A Global Haemorrhoid For The Legitimate Car-Hire Business.

We certainly share a view of Uber, et al.  It has become a global haemorrhoid for the legitimate car-hire business.

One of the biggest problems has been the patently rotten job that has been done in terms of defining the issues for the public and as those issues have been presented to various courts in a number of places.  Please indulge me the opportunity to help everybody see the forest for the freakin' trees.

(Yes, I believe I do indeed have the definitive analysis--read on and tell me how I could possibly be wrong.)

Everybody is focused on the hype and crap, and nobody is digging in and looking at what's really happening.  Uber's "app" is nothing more than a gimmick if you don't pair it up with a large number of cars to "network."  Yes, people like being able to hail a ride without talking to anybody, and there would undoubtedly be a contingency that would swim upstream and keep using Uber, even if the company weren't providing superior service (as in faster response time to service requests).  But, in the long run, people will choose the service provider who gives them the quickest response--that's been central to the car-hire industry since jump.

The point is, if you look at those places where Uber has grabbed a major share of the local car-hire market, you'll see that they are invariably running many more cars at any given time than any of the "competing" traditional taxis.  That is the key to their success, not the app or their future vision, ad nauseum.

All Uber is really doing is enabling customers to place orders and have them transmitted to drivers via a cellphone.  (That's new?)

Here in the U. S., we have a divergence of legal decisions on whether or not taxis and TNCs are in reality doing the same thing. In local legal jargon, it's whether or not they are "similarly situated parties."  A judge in Boston said they clearly are, another judge in Chicago has decided that the way Uber dispatches ride requests makes them "different" from traditional taxis.  The matter may eventually land with the Supreme Court, although the issue to most sensible people is much simpler and more clear-cut than to justify the highest court in the land needing to make the final call.

Look at the number of vehicles and the cost per vehicle if you want to illuminate the real source of Uber's advantage over traditional taxis.  It's about economics and physical logistics, not technology.

As far as Uber being a "technology company" rather than a car-hire operator, that might play fine if it weren't necessary for drivers to establish their status through Uber--i.e., if all the drivers were in fact completely independent and autonomous, Uber could possibly claim all they do is offer dispatching service.  But, even if they don't own the cars, they pretty much own the drivers, and that to most logical people should make it clear that Uber is indeed in the transportation business.  In the same vein, if taxis start using all the same methods as Uber, can they then claim to be "technology companies," too?

Tom Edwards
Owner/Manager
Uptown Taxi
Chico, California

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Uber Tells ECJ It's Not A Taxi Service, But Is The Verdict A Done Deal...?

Minicab company Uber has rebutted accusations that it is working as a taxi service and should be regulated as such before Europe's highest court on Tuesday. 

The Californian firm again stressed that its business is solely focused on providing a smartphone app that connects drivers and customers, and also made the case that it has helped cut pollution and improved the quality of life in the European countries in which it has a presence.

Speaking before the panel of 15 judges, Uber's lawyer Cani Fernandez said:

"Uber is part of a wave of technology which radically changes the way we shop, obtain information..."

"Uber contributes to linking drivers and passengers more efficiently," she continued, before arguing that the company has made it easier for people to get around, drivers to get access to parking and reduced pollution. 

The much-anticipated European Court of Justice appearance comes as a direct result of Barcelona's main tax operator accusing Uber of running an illegal taxi service via its UberPOP service back in 2014 and the court's ultimate decision could have massive implications for not only how Uber does business, but also the tech likes of Airbnb and the "gig economy" as a whole. 

Spain has been joined by both Ireland and France in calling for Uber to be subject to the same rules as other transport services. On the other side, Finland, Greece, Poland and The Netherlands – where its European headquarters are based – are supporting it in court, as well as the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

EFTA's lawyer asked the court to "send a message that innovation and new business opportunities in the European Union should be encouraged and not hindered by submitting them to unnecessary rules."

If Uber is judged to be a transport service rather than a mere digital platform that facilitates independent business, it would have to deal with far stricter rules in terms of licensing, insurance and safety if it is to operate in the EU.

Montse Balague Farre, lawyer for Barcelona's Asociación Profesional Élite Taxi, said:

"If there is a transport service provided, a company should not be able to hide behind the thin veil of a different service."

IN IRELAND

The National Transport Authority (NTA) poured cold water on Uber's plans to bring ride-sharing to Ireland back in August.

An NTA spokesperson has said that it is unlikely that there will be any change to the current Irish legislation preventing drivers charging for the transportation of others without a taxi licence.

While Uber has a number of taxi drivers using its service in Dublin, the majority of its worldwide business utilises unlicensed drivers using its smartphone app to ride-share.

An ECJ adviser will deliver a non-binding opinion in the coming months, with an official verdict from the judges not expected until at least March 2017. 

EDITORIAL COMMENT:

Just to show what a complete waste of time and money this whole case is...and in some minds no more than a massive PR exercise, right and the end of this article, we are informed that the 15 European Court Justices are no more than advisors and that the verdict (or opinion) will be non-binding.

No such thing as bad publicity they say...

So a win win situation then for Uber then ?

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TRAITOR'S GATE..... BY SEMTEX 8829.

"I love this country.........and I feel honored to have served it" 

Those were the very last words of British Prime Minister, David Cameron on the brink of his leadership disaster. The words of an arrogant, over confident and cocky politician, who made the error of believing his own hype. His arrogance was so compelling, that he massively underestimated the feelings and anxieties of a suppressed nation, and blighted his political career forever.

Watching him well up and choke back tears on the cobbles of Downing Street, brought no compassion to me. Despite the first four words of his last sentence, I regard Cameron as a London Traitor.

He has never shown love, passion or interest for "the people", only his millionaire cronies and business partner friends.

To me and my colleagues of The London Cab Trade, he was The Jackal, The Lee Harvey Oswald, The Marcus Julius Brutus, The Judas Iscariot.

Prior to May 2012, The Great London Taxi trade was busy doing as it's always done for almost 400 years. And doing it as well as it's ever done. I make no apologies for using the word "Great" either, for that is what it is.

When Travis Kalanick burst into our City of London, Traitor Cameron's silver bullet made especially for a world respected London Cab Trade, was carefully loaded into the firing chamber. With the apostate Prime Minister's help, and the cohering London Mayor Johnson's assistance, the silver bullet from California was fired with devastating accuracy, and hit me and my 24,999 other mates bang smack on target.

However, unlike a fatal ballistic projectile, our injuries were not to be instant, but unmercifully drawn out, as if attacked with Napalm. The effect of this strike would be felt by The London Cab Trade for a long time to come. We had served London well. We didn't deserve this.

But if I was ever unfortunate enough to have to share a pint with the former Bullingdon Club Officer, or better still, find myself in a two man canoe surrounded by sharks, I would ask him one single question. WHY ?

Why did he do that to us ? Why did he assist a multi-millionaire American Techno whizz kid, to come to his capital that "HE LOVED"  and demolish a world famous heritage ? When Uber was launched in London, there were no shortage of cabs. It wasn't about monopoly either. People who chose not to use black cabs had plenty of available alternatives. 

Addison Lee and other companies in the mini cab industry were big and efficient enough to deal with people who didn't want a black cab. We all coped and worked cheek by jowl, driving the public around London's roads as we had done for donkey's years. It was nothing to do with logistics either. Uber has only slowed a journey from the train stations to the theatre down, not accelerated them. So come on David, you lovable little London Lover, you. What was it ?

Folks, listen. David Cameron couldn't spell passion, love or pride. 

Pound notes ! Readies ! Dosh ! Brown envelopes and favours, that's what our former Prime Minister was about !! 

And my word, hasn't whizz kid Kalanick improved our lovely old London?  Well, as an illusionist Travis could probably exceed David Blayne.

In 2012 at the Albert Hall, in front of 2000 senior delegates of The Institute of Directors, he actually convinced these top financial elite that he would " take one million cars off the London roads, thus reducing congestion and the City's carbon footprint." When asked how he would carry out this amazing Nobel Peace worthy trick he said " I will put 100,000 Uber cars in London and persuade the other 900,000 to use our cars." What could be simpler, Travis?

Folks, I am no financial whizz kid, and I am definately not the next Alan Sugar, but these 2000 delegates actually stood for this crap. Not only did they stand for it, they gave him a standing ovation !! Perhaps I am in the wrong game.

Move forward and what have we got. 1 million less cars on London's streets ? 

Course not. 900,000 former car drivers now using Uber? 

Don't be so bloody ridiculous. 

London's carbon footprint drastically improved ?

I haven't seen the data but if it's gone down, mine's a bloater.

Despite this amazing trick of illusion though, Uber went on to win some pretty high ranking awards, including Best Business of The Year.

And our beautiful City, that is so apparently loved by Cameron and Johnson stood the Californian Illusionists deception, hook line and sinker. Or did they ? 

Could there have been any other incentives for the two Bullingdon boys ? 

I wonder.

One thing is for sure and most certainly not an illusion. Looking out the window of my cab today just around the corner from Liverpool Street, tells a very different story.

London is paralysed. Utterly up the creek without a paddle. Ruined and going nowhere. The infrastructure has melted. Traffic is in deadlock. Nothing moves. Every car that isn't a black cab is sporting a TFL Green Roundel. Most of the cabs are empty. Most of the buses are empty. Most of the mini cabs are empty. Nobody moves.

This real time situation folks is the result of a useless, corrupt, incredibly poorly run regulator, Transport For London.

Ever since Cameron and Boris gave Travis the green light, TFL have dished these roundels out as though they were discount leaflets for Tescos. No foresight, no intelligence, no brakes, no cares, no worries. They couldn't give a monkeys. Why should they ? 

They are making an absolute fortune. 

Come to London ! Drive a mini cab for Uber ! Bundles to be made ! No problem getting a licence ! Get a fishing licence whilst you are there too, it's just as easy ! 

Roll Up ! Roll up ! Roll up !

And despite what I see from my cab window, despite what the traffic cameras see, despite what TFL see, the roundels just keep coming. More and more and more of them. Our beautiful London. Smashed and pillaged to pieces by a gang of bent incompetent civil service bastards, who don't give a toss. Makes you weep, doesn't it ? 

I read an article in the Telegraph some time ago. By nature, I don't like or trust journalists. I was fitted up and made to look foolish by one of  the BBC in my London Cab Trade "Operation Nightingale", some years ago. However, the piece I read in the Telegraph was written by Alex Proud. 

Alex has previously stated that he felt that Uber were the dogs nuts and the way forward. However, after an invitation from our trade to come and meet us to see our side of things, he did, and fair play to him. After speaking  to our side, he admitted to seeing things differently, and understood our plight. It is incredibly unusual for a journalist to go back on something they have written, but Alex did and I admire him for that. One thing that disturbed me though, was that the Telegraph made an official apology as a footnote to Alex's piece. 

This is what it said:

"An earlier version of this article wrongly stated that Uber drivers undergo a lesser standard of criminal records checks than drivers of London black cabs. We have been assured by TFL that the very same checks to be licensed by TFL are the same for mini cabs as black cabs. The Telegraph are happy to make this clear and apologise"

Alex, tell your editor he has nothing to apologise for my friend. You were right the first time. Transport For London were lying to you. How can a person from Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Congo etc... who has lived in this country for 6 months, possibly be investigated thoroughly by the Criminal Records Bureau ? 

Another load of irresponsible bollox from a Government Regulator who have moved mountains to allow the Uber model to breathe. I wonder why ?

Whatsmore. The huge majority of Uber's workforce come from abroad. Why ? 

Were we short of taxis ? 

Why did Cameron's Government allow that ? 

Since Uber have been in existence, our trade have noticed a massive increase in sexual attacks on women in mini cabs. Is that coincidence ? 

After all, a huge amount of Uber drivers are Asian or Arab, whether Human Rights activists like it or not.

Well, listen to this. From Nishita Jha of The Asian Centre For Human Rights, said " Almost 49,000 child rape cases were reported from 2001 to 2011 in India. Imagine 49,000 children raped in 10 years, and you have a small measure of how deep the inhuman phenomenon of child rape runs in India ".  

Blood curdling, isn't it ?

How about this from The International Women's News and Issues publication " Womensphere".  Tania Bien-Aime reports " Some countries often the most poorest and conflict ridden have a level of violence towards women, that makes life unbearable for them. Countries such as Afghanistan, Congo, Iraq, Nepal, Sudan and Pakistan are the worst countries in the world today to be a women, due to serious sexual motivated attack ."

Worrying isn't it. Hang on a minute though. Am I right in suggesting that sexual attacks in mini cabs have gone through the roof, since Uber have been around ? 

Or not ? 

We as a trade are currently awaiting a Freedom Of Information question regarding this. The results are actually being revealed soon. Or so we are told. 

Now wait a minute, I'm no Sherlock Holmes, but am I being neurotic jumping to the conclusion here.............? 

I wonder. 

Hopefully, we shall see soon.

I know I'm an old granny, but I was just thinking!

Lets just say I was a notorious sex offender in one of the countries named above.  Anyway, my cousin who got into the UK two years ago said that working for Uber in London is like winning the lottery. "Come over here, Bruv!, everyday is wonderful !" Said cousin comes over, waits about six months, goes up to TFL and applies for a mini cab roundel. 

Hang on ! Problem number 1 ! Or is it ? 

How about the CRB Criminal Records Agency Check?   

No problem. Just get a certificate of good character from your school teacher in Bangladesh, saying that you turned up for school every day on time and helped pick berries in the village. The CRB can only check since you've been in the UK. That's that over with. Medical ? 

No worries. There are Doctors in London who would stamp that certificate for 100 quid. No worries. 

How about insurance ? 

That's ok. Use your cousins and if you get a pull or Uber ask you for it. No worries. Blimey, look what has just come through my letterbox ! My mini cab licence and roundel from TFL. I start with Uber tomorrow. 

First port of call is London's West End. It's two in the morning. It's summer it's hot. There are hundreds of beautiful young English girls everywhere you look. Some are drunk. They have short skirts. They have bra less tops. They have beautiful high heel shoes. 

Thank goodness I didn't have to go through the same rigorous checks and medicals as London Black Cab Drivers do, I would never have passed it if they had found out about my previous life in Afghanistan. 

One drunk girl is coming over to me. I wind my widow down and she gets in with me. But she hasn't booked me !  She's drunk, I will take her anyway.  

You don't need to know the rest of the story do you ? 

You all know the end. But you don't care do you ? 

Do you Cameron ? 

Do you Johnson?  

Do you Daniels ? 

You lot let this happen on your watch. You lot continue to take your salaries knowing this is happening each and every night in our beautiful city. You stood by and helped it grow. You assisted it to flourish. You all knew it was going on. You have the affront to be paid hundreds of thousands of pounds for tearing this city in half. 

We didn't need Uber!  London didn't need Uber ! Londoners didn't need Uber ! None of us needed Uber...except you lot of greedy, conniving, inept, unsafe bastards ! It were you lot that wanted this two bob, volatile, unaccountable, dangerous, foreign firm, time bomb....wasn't it ?!!

Londoners have had a perfectly good, nay brilliant, Taxi Service that wasn't broke in the first place ! 

It takes years and years to learn the skills to become a London Taxi Driver. What next ? 

You going to Serbia to recruit a mob of cheap paid Police Officers to come to London and undermine the Met, the professionals, the best Police Service in the world ? 

What next ? 

Who next ?

London Taxis have given as much if not more than any other recorded public service in history. They work through terror, they work through bombings, they work through danger, they work through carnage, they work through recession they work through the good they work through the bad.........and you lot of two bob, spineless, shiny arsed, back stabbing, insincere, unprofessional bastards, have watched as we are killed off. 

Well, I tell you something Servants. We ain't done just yet. We have saved our best punch till last. Do you honestly think we are going to let the twat from LA assisted by you lot of bent bastards to kill us ? Don't dream it TFL, and sorry Theresa, you can blame the posh boy.

To watch him nigh on break down reading from that rostrum announcing his end, made my blood curdle. The biggest traitor since Kim Philby stood there to tell us he loved his country. Ponce !

Love this country, my arse !! 

I tell you what loving your country is Cameron. Loving your country is about joining the armed services as a fifteen year old. putting yourself in International peril before your fucking beard has had a chance to develop. 

Loving your country is about going out to tackle armed and dangerous terrorists who would and do tear your fucking arms from their sockets and burn your eyes with cigarette lighters to attempt to find out where your mates would strike next. 

Loving your country is about shitting yourself with fear everytime you strap the fucking body armour on before going out on patrol again. 

Loving your country is about the piss dripping down your legs and into your boots through fright and relief when you have just realised it was you they were aiming at. 

Loving your country is waiting for an RAF Hercules to land at Brize Norton, so that you could help carry the two stone remaining bits of skin and gristle that used to be your best mate you joined up with, home to his loved ones. 

Loving your country is proudly putting on the coveted tunic and bearskin at Wellington Barracks, before marching with chest out and head held high onto our Queens Birthday Parade at Horse Guards. 

Loving your country is sitting as a sad 60 year old admiring a mantlepiece full of Bravery Commendations, Citations and Medals from HM The Queen downwards. 

Loving your country is about having to go to specialist clinics for treatment after jumping out your fucking skin just because your wife dropped a plate in the kitchen. 

That's what loving your country means to me Cameron, Johnson, Brown, Khan & Daniels. I got fuck all out of it apart from a mediocre wage packet, a medal and a heart full of British Pride ! 

And the only brown envelope I ever got was asking me for more fucking tax, as if I haven't given enough !

The London Licensed Black Cab Trade have served with distinction and exemplary conduct. They have served London and Londoners well and proper.

We are not asking for a monopoly. We are not asking for special favours. And neither do we ask for partiality. We welcome competition in our service, and are not afraid to compete. We acknowledge the need for the cheaper option, and there are many forms of legitimate travel who can provide the customer with choice. Neither are we luddites. Technology was embraced by The London Taxi Trade many years ago by our trade, and indeed, continues to prosper. We can and do compete with any other bona fide app in today's high tech marketplace.

What we ARE asking for though, is a level playing field. The initial licensing of Uber was improper and illegal. They DID NOT qualify for the strict licensing criteria of TFL. Who gave them a licence to operate ?

Women have been and are still being sexually attacked whilst in a mini cab in London. When the figures come out we will start taking TFL scalps, you watch.

That is bad enough, but if TFL, The Mayor or The Conservatives think we are going to sit back and become extinct and buried to pave the way for the  illegally licensed outfit from LA to prosper, we have one hell of a skirmish left yet ! We have taken abuse from the bullies and traitors for far too long now.

My assault helmet complete with near misses has been hooked up in the hallway for years now. Its only use in latter years was for my grandchildren to try on, and my sons to wear after too many Carlsbergs. It still fits me, i just tried it. Let's hope I don't have to strap it on any time soon, to keep Uber from taking our legacy. Know what I mean ?

Be lucky all. Take care and God bless.

8829 Semtex.

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Uber In More Financial Chaos As Their Drivers In U.S. Cities Join Planned Worker Protests

Drivers for ride service company Uber will join planned nationwide protests on Tuesday, when activists and low-wage workers renew their call for better pay and the right to join a union in the wake of Donald Trump's U.S. presidential election win, organizers said.

Hundreds of Uber drivers in two dozen cities, including San Francisco, Miami and Boston, for the first time will add their voices to the union-backed "Fight for $15" campaign that has helped convince several cities and states to raise starting pay significantly above the U.S. minimum wage of $7.25.

Justin Berisie, 34, drives for Uber in Denver and is joining Tuesday's protests.

"Someone who lives in America and goes to work every day, that person deserves a decent living," said Berisie, who has a 5-year-old daughter and is struggling to make ends meet. He said he earns $500 or less, before expenses such as gasoline, during an average week where he is on duty for 50 to 60 hours.

The four-year-old "Fight for $15" movement includes fast-food workers, home care aides, airport baggage handlers and other low-wage employees. Organizers from "Fight for $15," which is backed by the Service Employees International Union, say the campaign's Nov. 29 demonstrations will take place in 340 cities and nearly 20 of the nation's busiest airports.

U.S. policy is expected to become less worker friendly following the election of Trump, a international businessman who will be president as fellow Republicans control both chambers of Congress as well as federal agencies that govern the formation of unions, overtime rules and more.

Uber drivers have sued the company in several states, accusing it of depriving drivers of various employment protections by misclassifying them as independent contractors.

The lawsuits are a test for companies such as Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL], a high-profile player in the so-called "sharing economy," which say that their contractor model allows for flexibility that many see as important to their success. A legal finding that drivers are employees could raise Uber's costs and force it to pay Social Security, workers' compensation, and unemployment insurance.

Source: Rueters. 

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