Southampton taxi drivers have been told they face being suspended if they do not remove St George flags that state they are ‘English-speaking’ drivers.
Drivers claimed that the signs were put up as some passengers complained that other drivers around the city were unable to speak English properly. But, despite drivers claiming the signs were not intended to be deliberately racist, ethnic minority drivers and members of the public have registered their complaints. City council officials have requested that the signs be taken down or the drivers face suspension.
Councillor Brian Parnell, Chairman of Southampton City Council’s Licensing Committee, said: “The drivers displaying the signs will be asked to take them down. If they do not do this, they will be given five days to do so. It will be looked at in a very serious manner.” Parnell also mentioned how the taxi drivers themselves had raised the issue in the first place. “It was the taxi drivers that brought it up at the trade consultation meeting rather than members of the public.”
Opinion amongst the city’s cab drivers is mixed, with some angry over the potentially racist nature of the signs. Ahmed, a driver for Radio Taxis, said: “I am really very angry, I can’t believe it. I can’t see what the idea behind this is. It’s very racist and it’s absolutely promoting an anti multi-cultural society. People should not encourage drivers who carry the signs.”
However, Tom, who also drives for Radio Taxis, disagreed: “The stickers in the windows aren’t racist. It’s a way for drivers to back at the council for letting standards drop with new employees.”
Council officers have spoken with several drivers and some have agreed to remove the signs. All prospective taxi drivers in Southampton have to pass a communications test to gain a licence and undergo a ‘knowledge’ test of the city.
(Solent Speaker, 2010)
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