Taxi Driver Online

Eric Barry represents the TGWU Edinburgh Cab Section on the Hire Car Licensing Consultation Group.

Barry is also an Edinburgh councillor.

So, who does he really represent.

The TGWU members? Are there any? Do they ever hold meetings? Anyone heard of any meetings? Anyone ever been asked to join this coven? Word is that Barry is self appointed. True?

OK I may have got this wrong. So how many members are there and at what meeting was he appointed. As he's supposed to represent trade interests, don't we have a right to know? Shouldn't the credentials of all members of the HCLCG be open to public scrutiny?

But, if I'm right, why is he on the HCLCG?

Also, why is an elected councillor allowed to represent trade interests when he is duty bound to further the interests of the council, which are not necessarily those of the trade? Isn't this a conflict of interests?

But then, we all know that the council is no stranger to interest conflicts don't we? It owns and operates a bus company while restricting its competition. They appoint a bus driver to drive the policy to maintain this restriction.

Does anyone seriously believe that this bus driver is going to do anything his bosses don't like? So, why is this biased bus driver heading up the Reg Com? Is this how open and fair government is supposed to work?

Isn't the cancer of political corruption rife through the diseased corporate body that is City of Edinburgh Council?

_________________
Skull, "You are a police inspector, aren't you?"
Cab Inspector Smith, "Yes."
Skull, "So, are you going to tell Mr Taylor what his rights are?"
Smith, "And ... What rights?"

I have received Ian Murray's response.

Dear Jim

Many thanks for your email. I am disappointed that you have chosen to send me this link as you facts are completely wrong. I am not on the regulatory committee of the Council and have not been since 2004. I was not involved in the decision to award new licences to the taxi trade and, indeed, wrote to the Council Solicitor and Taxi solicitor to protest at the way in which they decided the new 30 licence holders. I, indeed, represented a constituent who was 107th on the list and thought it completely against natural justice to use a priority list that is both against the legislation and illegal. I attended the adjourned taxi licence meeting with my constituent and gave these points to the committee verbally as well as in writing. I made tjhe following points which I will provde you with if necessary:

1. The reserve list is illegal
2. It is against natural justice to allow people to be granted a licence because they have been on an illegal list since 1993.
3. Some applicants at number 34-60 had multiple applications in and many hadbeen tipped off by Administration Councillors that they were minded to grant a few extra licences and, therefore, submitted applications to a reserve list that wasn't supposed to exist, weeks before any decision had been made.
4. How can applications be dealt with "on their individual merits" if the chances of their success is less than zero if they fall below the early 30s on the list.

I also argued that applicants who has applied in good faith should be refunded of their considerable application fee. I was fortunate that this was accepted.

I positively encourage criticism but your blog link is completely wrong.

I dont; expect you to vote Labour or like our Party but I take exception to inaccuracies made in public that are a slight on what actually happened. I think you should check your facts and then retract your disgracefuly inaccurate comments about me as a Councillor.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and you are no different but please get it right. I can provide evidence of me representing my constituent on this particular issue if you need it.

Best wishes,

Ian Murray

Have to say, the response of a consumate politician. Perhaps I have underestimated him?

_________________
Skull, "You are a police inspector, aren't you?"
Cab Inspector Smith, "Yes."
Skull, "So, are you going to tell Mr Taylor what his rights are?"
Smith, "And ... What rights?"

Have to say Ian Murray's response was that of a consumate politiccian. Perhaps I have underestimated him?

Dear Cllr Murray

If so, then I apologise for the confusion. It would be inappropriate to attribute to you any actions for which you are not responsible.

I will of course post your response on the forum. Your input here has been most illuminating and valuable.

As I say, please accept my apology for the error.

In the meantime, should you feel able to respond to the 20 points made about the current Labour administration I would be delighted to also accept any instances where you can show me I have got it wrong.

Kind regards

Jim Taylor

_________________
Skull, "You are a police inspector, aren't you?"
Cab Inspector Smith, "Yes."
Skull, "So, are you going to tell Mr Taylor what his rights are?"
Smith, "And ... What rights?"

Perhaps by way of further explanation I should add that Cllr Murray's name display was on the table during the licence application hearings. This helped to cause confusion.

_________________
Skull, "You are a police inspector, aren't you?"
Cab Inspector Smith, "Yes."
Skull, "So, are you going to tell Mr Taylor what his rights are?"
Smith, "And ... What rights?"

mr barry are you in the craft aswell?