Leaving the EU doesn't preclude the UK from forming its own protectionist policies. If I remember correctly, Labour's argument against the Common Market back in the day was that it would risk introducing greater free market policies to the UK at the expense of economic regulation and workers' rights they had fought so hard for. Jeremy Corbyn, as we all know, is a closet Brexiter.

Anyway, we live in a time of shocking hypocrisies in views. Sit back and enjoy it.

Blimey - those bremoaners really want to pollute the entire forum with their dour stuff, get back to the brexit thread... NB the eu is a highly protectionist blok, most in the world according to many.

Not too sure why you, as an expat and not living in the UK, feel so strongly about a local, London UK, problem?

Cause this week i am in the area and using uber, and i spent most of my working life there, why is it a problem for you?

Not only that, but support a business that (i) gives easy, almost no-questions-asked employment opportunities to recently arrived immigrants, (ii) takes work away from what are mainly hard-working British family men, and (iii) increases the UK's reputation as a deregulated low wage zero-hours gig economy.

I'm really neutral on brexit. Frankly I'll benefit either way. I just find it ironic that people want a free market on one hand and not on another.

Can't believe nobody's mentioned yet the screaming hypocrisy: on the one hand "everyone's" up in arms about the govt's "disgraceful" behaviour about allowing dangerous living conditions (Grenfell Tower), and now they're also up in arms about the result of due diligence of Uber which has found that it's not fit for purpose but they still want it to continue.

****ing people who think they know better than professionals.

Got no sympathy for black cab drivers. Expensive, and hard to find in many parts of London, unwilling to go to many parts of London.

Uber sidestepped all these issues. Surely with some kind of better registration of drivers it could be better.

Got no problem with people working for themselves. No one has issues with gardeners doing people's gardens in London so why drivers.

Do all black cab drivers have families?

The UK's a free market, with regulations to keep it safe. Provided regulations are adhered to, no-one has a right to a monopoly. If the DD was done properly (and it should be open to public scrutiny), then no-one has grounds to object.

I doubt it, that's why I said "mainly" hard-working family men.

Black cabbies are self-employed. Difference is they're trained, professional and well-managed as a trade group.

You could make your arguments about dentists... who needs a trained and expensive dentist, just phone someone up and they can have a go, after all they've got the internet?

Your comment about registration is key - the Mayor isn't out to destroy the uber concept, he's just saying that the safeguarding aspects aren't fit for purpose.

There have been to many instances of crime, 32 cases of rape and sexual assault would require someone to sit up and take notice!!

Uber drivers accused of 32 rapes and sex attacks on London passengers over the past year | The Independent

Also as someone said if a black cab driver refuses to take you to your destination report him, which you can do as his licence details are plastered all over the cab!

Finally the point about being professional is correct,I would much prefer getting in a black cab than one that the smells make me think I am back in Dubai!

This. Everyone is, as usual these days, taking everything to extremes. There could be room for a compromise. Uber is a hi-tech, convenient and modern service but should definitely be subject to proper rules and regulations. Black cabs are good in their own ways too, but maybe need to modernise a bit.

Group hug in a taxi anyone?

This thread is all over the shop with people's own petty mindedness shoe-horned in. Going back to the Brexit one.