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London’s Royal Opera House
recently saw a gathering of political heavyweights brought together
to discuss London’s economic future. Some of those present included
London Mayor Boris Johnson, former Tory Minister of Transport
and now working closely with the Mayor from within the London
Development Agency Steve Norris, Shadow Chancellor George
Osborne and Lord Peter Mandelson,
Secretary of State for Business,
Innovation and Skills. Also present was Dial-a-Cab Chairman Brian
Rice. He told Call Sign following the conference: "It was an extremely interesting day that included three different dicussion break-out groups for the several hundred guests to attend. Whilst politics is politics, the meetings did provide an interesting insight into how London’s economic future is seen, because this obviously affects the London taxi business and more specifically to us, Dial-a-Cab." The Mayor’s speech was based on proposals for London’s economic development as set out in Rising to the Challenge, which was published in May. The conference, organised by the London Development Agency, brought together over 300 leading politicians, business people, commentators and policy makers to discuss and debate the key issues facing London's economy and to help develop solutions to shape the future of the capital. In his speech, Boris Johnson called for London to promote more powerfully its position as the world’s undisputed capital of business and ensure that central |
BRIAN RICE AT ‘RISING TO CHALLENGE’ CONFERENCE London’s economic future is discussed at the Opera House… |
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The conference was chaired by London Mayor Boris Johnson |
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government work with the city to
help keep the capital highly competitive in future. He committed to
maintain London as a world-leading low carbon capital, undertake
initiatives to improve Londoners’ skills and employability and to
continue to invest in projects for London’s long-term economic
growth He also called on the Government to help him resist the EU Commission’s "dangerous plans" to regulate financial services. He feared the plans could threaten London’s status as the global capital of financial services resulting in European investors losing out, seriously damaging the capital’s financial services industry. The Mayor fired off his warning directly at Lord Mandelson. Mayor Johnson also added that so concerned was he about the situation that he had sought an urgent meeting to personally lobby EU Commissioners and make the case for London. He singled out the EU draft directive on Alternative Investment Fund Management as a measure that would seriously weaken the European marketplace for hedge funds, private equity and venture capital. This would substantially reduce the choices available for |
investors, put up protectionist
barriers around Europe and give a huge competitive boost to
financial centres outside the EU, such as New York, Singapore, Hong
Kong, and Geneva – to Europe and London’s ultimate disadvantage.
As a by-product, it would undoubtedly do serious damage to London taxi fleets such as DaC. The Mayor ended by saying: "My greatest worry is that this is just the start of a flood of draft directives that will start to filter out of Brussels. London is the home of hedge funds and private equity, but having a strong hedge fund and private equity industry is not just good for London, it is good for Europe. No other European city’s financial services sector is competing on the same international level as London and the EU Commission must recognise this. That is why I’ve decided to personally take the lead on this and lobby key figures. London’s main competitors are outside the EU, including New York and Hong Kong, so it’s blatantly obvious that this unilateralist approach will damage our competitiveness." |
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East London Cabbies outing to Maldon |
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Taxi Day
in Maldon, Essex, took place on what was one of the hottest days of
2009. Having gathered the special needs children from schools in
Newham and Havering, the convoy of over 100 decorated taxis -
including several from Dial-a-Cab - set off to the usual noise of
air horns and shouts of delight, but with an unusual lead vehicle -
a bright yellow Lamborghini! Both this and another Lamborghini
attracted much attention throughout the day as the children on the
trip and students from The Plume School in Maldon sat in the
vehicles. Thanks go to Glamour Cars for Rent for sending the
vehicles along, allowing everyone to enjoy the roar of the engines
throughout the day and also to the motorbike outriders from Blue
Knight and the Essex Police outriders for ensuring a safe
journey. A comfort stop was taken en route to Maldon at The George and Dragon in Mountnessing. Since the trip’s visit last year, this pub has had a makeover and is now a chic bar with lovely patio at the front and gardens to the rear. Once everyone had been suitably refreshed, it was back into the cabs for the remainder of the trip. As the convoy got closer to Maldon, more and more people stood along the roadside waving to the cabs. At one riding stable, even the horses come to watch! In Maldon itself, the High Street was crammed with people welcoming and waving to the children. The event is one of the most popular activities of the year in the town, with balloons and decorations adorning the shops and business in the High Street. Then it was into Plume School for lunch before travelling onto Promenade Park for a fun-filled |
 Taking a comfort break at the George and Dragon
afternoon. This year, the hall where the children ate had a
Caribbean theme with students in fancy dress. Entertainment,
including a balloon model maker and goodie bags kept the visitors
happy during lunch. Then it was off to the park. Sandie Goodwin |
