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I note that after the overwhelming success of the UCG's Demonstrations, TFL Senior Compliance Officers and The Police Service have "promised tougher and more effective enforcement measures".
I am not a UCG member, although I am one of their biggest fans. Neither was I present at the meeting held at Scotland Yard either, so have no knowledge of what was said. However, I am positive that the UCG officers in attendance heard enough to satisfy them that postponing the next demo would be appropriate. Whatsmore, the UCG take a membership democratic vote on such issues, and I applaud and agree with their strategy.
Had I still been a member though, I would have voted against postponing the demos, and I will tell you why.
TFL and the Police tell lies ! They are not to be trusted in any way whatsoever ! Do you honestly think Senior Compliance Officers at TFL and Met Police Officers will actually initiate any realistic and robust enforcement measures ? Course they bloody wont !They just don't want us demonstrating, that's all, and will say whatever, to keep us quiet !
Maybe it would have been a better plan to say that we would call the demos off, when you show us at least 12 arrests and convictions this Friday night for illegal touting FIRST ? That's not an unreasonable target is it, for an inflated Enforcement Team ? I would get that many on my own!This roundabout structure that we have worries me. We seem to make progress, rally the troops, get dug in and gain the upper hand...............and then stop to listen to the fraudulent deal bargains ! We lose momentum, gain nothing and have to start motivating ourselves all over again ! Round and round and round !
I'm still patiently waiting for Tom Watson to come back from the "Summer Rising" ! He promised to fart wonders and shit miracles! What he promised us in return to stop the demos was mind boggling ! Is he still alive ? We haven't heard from him since ! Course we haven't ! Just another tranquiliser dart fired into our hides as we pick up a cohesive and worrying momentum for TFL.
I'm not against having a deal, don't get me wrong. But have a deal AFTER WE HAVE SEEN EVIDENCE OF INTENT ! NOT BEFORE ITS GIVEN !
I am only assuming here, but I would guess that Len Martin and his team would have assured immediate and heavier demo retaliation if TFL's and The Police promises failed to emerge. But the Met and TFL know that rallying our trade and re-deploying logistics are far more difficult to start from scratch, than when we are on a roll. Attitudes, support, confidence, camaraderie , logistics, etc are all much more potent when launched from an optimistic and rolling tactical position.
Negotiators and Operational Commanders at the Yard will know this only too well.They attend courses on it !
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The UCG bent over backwards to appease the Bronze Control Police Commanders on last week's demo. And look how they repaid us! We gave 100% gentlemanly compliance, acted to every word of the letter and they still reneged on their deal, ruined the demo and shafted us good and proper ! We didn't put a foot out of place and was totally compliant.......and they rumped us !
Its a pity they couldn't have taken a leaf out of the book of The City Of London Police, who treated us professionally, courteously and with respect. In return, their compliments were reciprocated by our trade. This politeness and respect works both ways and when it is practised in good faith, is very effective. I raise my hat to the Bronze Control City of London Chief Inspector, he was a thorough gentleman.
As I said at the beginning, if I had still been a UCG member I would have gone against the vote to stop the demos. I don't trust TFL or The Met one little bit. Why should I ?That said, I would have respected the membership vote and supported and backed up the UCG to the hilt.Even though I am not a member, I still do and will continue to support the UCG.
I am totally confident in Len Martin's leadership and support him vigorously. Obviously, I will go with the flow on this, but believe in my heart that this will prove just another stalling tactic by the shysters out to kill us.I know I'm a bit of a dinosaur on occasion, but I just don't trust them to do what they have promised, that's all. I may be totally wrong and unfair not to trust them. They may be sitting in an office at the Yard, enthusiastically planning tonight's onslaught of thousands of illegal mini cabs. Westminster Magistrates will be packed out on Monday morning ! On the other hand, it may be what it usually is......all Bollox !
We will just have to see, it shouldn't take long to find out.
And as the cat said when it shit behind the door......That remains to be seen !
Be lucky all.
Tick, tock, tick, tock, tick, tock,
8829 Semtex.
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