The Cumbrian Way
Burning Bridges
When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one
Edmund Burke
The views expressed in this column may not be the views of the National Taxi Association
Those Carlisle United supporters out there will be thinking this article is about burning effigies of Michael ‘its not about the money’ Bridges who left the blues at the end of last season for the higher wages of Hull ‘soon to be relegated’ City, now there’s irony.
This column won’t be appreciated, the fact its being printed bears testament to the editorial independence of the magazine (either that or the editor is a capitalist pig like myself).
I have one key personality flaw when it comes to the taxi industry. I absolutely abhor people entering my profession and telling me and the existing trade how wrong we’ve been for many years. Perhaps it’s a psychological issue and one I need treatment for, I don’t really know. Either way, I don’t suppose the treatment is available on the NHS.
I recently attended a meeting in another area, I’m not going to name the area. Indeed, I wasn’t going to attend, but I attended as a personal favour to people I considered friends and to show support, I believe I have helped these people, albeit limited degree during the past few months. As many of you will realise, the day and evening actually cost me money, as we don’t get expenses for ‘jollies’ within the NTA.
Sufficed to say my attendance was used as a rather decent and cheerful (if not cynical) excuse to have a ‘pop’ at the NTA with all manner of snide comments by a rather nice chirpy cockney OAP who tastefully came dressed as an extra from ‘Grease’. Indeed, the diatribe is such its perhaps the ghost of Christmas past.
There was no leaping to either my own or the NTA’s defence. If those there could not see the attack then they were either blind, deaf or stupid, or perhaps all three. I am of the opinion the entire episode was deliberate, the reason I was asked to attend was to be a specific whipping boy selected to be humiliated. Not so much the shot of a silent assassin, but more of a full on assault with an AK-47 assault rifle.
It did actually strike me as odd that associations were castigated for representing the best interests of members businesses, whilst at the same time describing a union as a business and there was no try before you buy.
You see, I seem have been wrong all of these years, its all about exerting ‘political pressure’. Political pressure in an arena such as licensing? Which is possibly the only area of local government that should be kept well away from politics. You can be a respected figure in the trade, you can have a decent knowledge of the trade, but all of that pales into insignificance, because it’s apparently all about political clout. Not what you know, so much as whom you pay for. What was that old Chicago saying….Vote Early Vote Often?
Indeed, you could have the brain of retarded lama and the knowledge of a lemming, just so long as your part of a body with political clout nothing will ail you…..or will it?
It maybe just me, but I used to believe councillors had to declare interest in areas where they may have influence.
Perhaps a councillor could write in and confirm this either way.
If a particular councillor is sponsored by a TOA (or union for that matter), then isnt that councillor obligated to declare an interest if an issue arises where the TOA (or union) are involved?
Indeed, would they be permitted to take part in the meeting where they could exert influence over other councillors?
Or is it a case of strange handshakes, winks, and nods? All of this would seem to bear a striking similarity to those perhaps false rumours in the past about free-masonary.
What’s this standards board for England and Wales thingy then? (http://www.standardsboard.co.uk )
Well if we face facts the Code of Conduct for councillors specifically requests that membership of associations and trades unions are declared. Although a councillor can declare an interest and take part in the meeting, if a member of the public believes the councillors interest is prejudicial and the councillor is basically aware of this, then he or she shouldn’t be in the room at all. This possibly highlights the case for non political involvement between the trade and local authority.
Going on from this, if a taxi association openly supports a particular political party (possibly the Monster Raving Looney Party), then what would happen if that political party should do something stupid like getting kicked out by the electorate? Wouldn’t that alienate the taxi association?
Are people paying a subscription to influence a councillor who should to all intents and purposes, declare an interest and who should base his or her decision upon law and fact as opposed to political favour?
In my own humble (and I am nothing if not humble) view, if politics are playing a part of the decision making process, then politicians should have the licensing remit removed from them, an independent body should be established whose sole remit is taxi and private hire licensing.
One thing that really surprises me, although it shouldn’t, is that many people within the industry have not got a single clue about it, nor do they know which particular direction it should head towards. People are seemingly devout of ideas.
It’s easier to ‘re-brand’ an idea, throw on some garnish and dressing, than come up with something new and that’s what I see as happening.
I have actually been told by others I have a degree of respect within the trade, I don’t know if that’s true, but if it is, I will say here and now, it was earned and I don’t actually do free education lessons. People should think very carefully about those bridges they choose to burn, because in general bridges are easier to burn than build.
Why should I give kudos these kind of people, why should I give a free piggyback ride? The truth is I won’t give kudos, not only will I not give kudos, I flatly refuse to sit in the same room.
The cold light of day tells me some god awful anachronism of the past is going to be £15K richer during the next few weeks.
Still, money goes to money.
