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Just in case there was any doubt that Boris Johnson is an arsehole…

· Transport · UK affairs

These bureaucratic new rules will not improve your ride. They’re designed to address the concerns of black cab drivers, who feel under pressure from increased competition. But the answer is to reduce the onerous regulations cabbies face today – not increase them for everyone else

– Uber spokesman

October 5th, 2015 |

13 comments to Just in case there was any doubt that Boris Johnson is an arsehole…

  • JohnW
    October 5, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    …chateaux bottled shit.

  • Mr Ed
    October 5, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    So the black cab drivers are campaigning for their right to launch their own app, with their ‘premium, high-quality, orfentik, high-cost service’ being their USP?

    Ah, no, I just read the article.

  • mojo
    October 5, 2015 at 8:52 pm

    They don’t have to pass “The Knowlege” test. Medieval claptrap. Hello, GPS?

  • Thailover
    October 5, 2015 at 10:58 pm

    Of course mayors are tools of the state and crony fascism instead of an advocate of free enterprise and individual freedom. Was there ever any doubt about this?

  • staghounds
    October 5, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    To be fair, he sounds as if he wants the law to change and he hates enforcing it. He DOES have a responsibility to not ignore the law.

  • Fred the Fourth
    October 6, 2015 at 1:22 am

    Look, I get why Air Transport Pilot licenses are hard as shit to get and keep. I have no problem with that, since it’s my ass (among many many other) on the line.
    What, exactly, justifies the “Knowledge” test anymore? Speed? Some vague Quality of Service? It sure isn’t a life-safety issue. And if it’s a product quality issue, well, isn’t that what markets are for?
    (Insurance and maintenance regs are certainly less objectionable, but like all regs, have an annoying tendency to be used to keep out those Not In The Guild.)

  • Laird
    October 6, 2015 at 3:50 am

    staghounds read it the same way I did.

  • Fred the Fourth
    October 6, 2015 at 6:19 am

    I too agree with staghounds, assuming Boris was quoted accurately. If so, in fact, Boris was remarkably clear-spoken for a politician.

  • Rob
    October 6, 2015 at 9:28 am

    The last time I took a cab in London the driver didn’t know the difference between Commercial Road and Commercial Street and ended up just dumping us between the two and charging us about £15. Since then I have relied on my own ‘Knowledge’ and gone on foot and public transport.

  • monoi
    October 6, 2015 at 12:29 pm

    “not only by TfL, but by over 25 other regulators “…

    25 regulators of what exactly?

  • Paul Marks
    October 6, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    The speech by Mr Johnson at the Conservative Party Conference was all about “Social Justice” and hostile to even the modest welfare cuts proposed by the government.

    Clearly Perry is correct about Mr Johnson.

    Although there does seem to be a leftist political environment in London – that may have influenced him.

    I was in London yesterday.

    Lots of leftist politics – all over the place.

    Not just from the book sellers (where, sadly, one expects it) – but from shirt sellers in the railway station (“CHANGE THE WORLD” – somehow buying a shirt from them means that the socialist utopia will arrive, which is a good argument for not buying a shirt from them) – even the food shops were full of slogans about being “ethical”, “organic”, “sustainable”.

    And as for the free newspaper (the “Evening Standard” owned by the “ex” KGB person) – the less said about it the better.

    Perhaps being an arsehole is the only way to “fit in” to the London political climate.

  • Paul Marks
    October 7, 2015 at 11:21 am

    Of course the speech by Mr Cameron is about “Social Justice” also.

    And government “help for the Third World”.

    And government enforced “Gay Rights”.

    And a government edict to create a “living wage”.

    And on and on.

    Better “leaders” for state financed schools and social services departments (the state services would work if only there was a better “Leader Principle” – oh dear…..)

    Still compared to the Labour Party and the Lib Dems this is all very mild.

    It really is.

    Politics (and history) is not comparing people to an ideal standard.

    It is comparing people with the actual alternative on offer – in peace or war.

    Which is why I would have voted for Boris Johnson in both elections for Mayor of Greater London.

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