Politicsmatt hancockTrafalgar Squareltda

Taxi Protest Over Uber App Earns Mocking Tweet From Tory Minister Matt Hancock (VIDEO)

'What's This App? It Sounds Amazing' Minister's Message To Protesting Cabbies
The Huffington Post UK/PA
|

A Tory minister has sent a mocking tweet aimed at taxi drivers who have brought central London to a standstill in a "go slow" protest over a new controversial app.

As cabs converged on Trafalgar Square on Wednesday afternoon to protest the Uber app that allows people to book cab journeys around London, Skills Minister Matt Hancock, who is close to George Osborne, tweeted: "What's this #uber app everyone's talking about? It sounds awseome. I'd never heard of it until today.."

He is not alone in making the discovery - publicity around the cabbies' actions has caused downloads of the app to increase by 850%, according to ITV News.

Black cab and licensed taxi drivers who went on the protest said the app was leading to unlicensed drivers being contacted, with no checks on whether they are legitimate.

Open Image Modal

The taxi drivers converged on Trafalgar Square for a 'go slow' protest

Protesters in Trafalgar Square chanted "Boris, Boris, Boris, out, out, out", while taxi drivers beeped their horns as demonstrators held placards.

Organisations including the Rail and Maritime Transport union (RMT), London Cab Drivers Club (LCDC) and Licensed Taxi Drivers Association (LTDA) are all represented at the ongoing protest.

Derrick Hoare, of the LTDA, said they wanted to highlight the length of training - between four and seven years - taxi drivers undergo before being licensed.

Story continues beneath slideshow

Taxi drivers cause travel chaos
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(01 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(02 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A London taxi's driver attaches a sticker to the back of his cab on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(03 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A London taxi driver sits in his cab on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(04 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(05 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(06 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(07 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A London taxi driver waves a replica World Cup out of his cab during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(08 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: London taxi's line up on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(09 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A London taxi driver waves a replica World Cup out of his cab during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(10 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(11 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: A London taxi's line up on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(12 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Taxis blockade Whitehall on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(13 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: London taxis line up on The Mall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
London Faces Gridlock As Black Taxi's Protest Against Uber App(14 of36)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: London taxi's line up on Whitehall during a protest against a new smart phone app, 'Uber' on June 11, 2014 in London, England. London's licensed black taxi drivers are campaigning against the introduction of the 'Uber' taxi smartphone app in the United kingdom. Drivers say that there is a lack of regulation behind the new app. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(15 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest in central London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(16 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest on The Mall, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(17 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest on The Mall, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(18 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest in central London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(19 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest on The Mall, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(20 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest on The Mall, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(21 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(22 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(23 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(24 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(25 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(26 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(27 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(28 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(29 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(30 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest at Trafalgar Square, London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(31 of36)
Open Image Modal
Black cab and licensed taxi drivers protest in central London over the introduction of a phone app called Uber which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(32 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Uber app being used on an Apple iPhone 5, as a row has flared over the introduction of the app which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(33 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Uber app being used on an Apple iPhone 5, as a row has flared over the introduction of the app which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(34 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Uber app being used on an Apple iPhone 5, as a row has flared over the introduction of the app which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(35 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Uber app being used on an Apple iPhone 5, as a row has flared over the introduction of the app which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)
Taxi drivers to cause travel chaos(36 of36)
Open Image Modal
The Uber app being used on an Apple iPhone 5, as a row has flared over the introduction of the app which allows customers to book and track vehicles. (credit:PA)

The RMT's Ian Beetlestone said he hoped the demonstration would send a message that Uber is "operating in a grey area".

He said: "We are not objecting to competition. We have had competition for years from minicabs but we haven't caused gridlock over it.

"We have to jump through hoops to be regulated and we don't feel people involved in these new apps are being subjected to the same regulations."

The cabbies earned unlikely support in the form of controversial TV personality Katie Hopkins, who said: "Uber is not efficient. Surge pricing multiplies costs by 7.75%. Take away the sat nav and you have an idiot behind a wheel.

"Black Cabs are the capitals 2nd police force. If ever I am in trouble, it is a black cabbie that saves the day."

Open Image Modal

Speaking of the 850% spike in downloads, Jo Betram, the UK and Ireland manager for Uber, said: "Londoners are voting with their fingers, tapping the app in support of new and innovative services as we see our biggest day of sign-ups in London today since launch two years ago.

"The results are clear. London wants Uber in a big way. Unsurprisingly, the LTDA, which is stuck in the dark ages, is intent on holding London to ransom and causing significant economic impact to Londoners."

Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip