Who’s Supporting the Trade – London Mayoral election 2016

Labour candidate Sadiq Khan “I will be the mayor who begins the renaissance of the black taxi”

Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith ‘I love black cabs’

UKIP candidate Peter Whittle claims he is the only candidate who really supports the trade’

 With the London mayoral election 2016 closing in the hopeful candidates have been out in full force trying to gain as much support as possible and it seems that the London taxi industry is something that has been hitting the headlines.

Sadiq Khan, the candidate for the Labour party, has claimed that if elected in May one of his roles will be dedicated to try and “level the playing field” within the private hire industry.

In a recent interview with London radio station LBC, he pointed out that private hire vehicles have increased dramatically with the introduction of Uber and like companies which is having a negative effect on the number of black taxi’s on the roads.

Khan goes on to state that solid regulations and a cap are put in place for private hire vehicles in a bid to “level the playing field”.

Zac Goldsmith, the candidate for the Conservative party, has pointed the finger at Uber claiming they are “unfair competition” and that if things remain the same the industry could become “extinct”.

Goldsmith has used interviews to highlight the negative features and effects that Uber is having on the trade and has called on Andrew Jones, the under-secretary of state for transport to review the market as a whole as he claims there is “no question of banning Uber” however he would like to see a better regulatory system put in place. 

Peter Whittle, the candidate for UKIP, has shunned Sadiq Khans comments claiming that what he has said is “pure hot air”. Whittle has stated that his support for the black taxi industry is unequivocal and that unlike the other parties hopefuls he will continue to fight in their corner.

In an interview on the UKIP website the candidate has said “I believe black cabs are an iconic part of London life. The service they provide is unique and the envy of cities around the world, and they offer Londoners the security of a properly regulated and licensed taxi service.  

UKIP have gone on to state the following as well, “We believe in a level playing, and to this end if elected I would push for a temporary freeze on any further PHV licences being issued by City Hall. This would give us a breathing space in which to put in more vigorous and fairer qualifications with regard to PHV drivers. Not just a greater understanding of English, but proper health checks and where possible, criminal record checks.”