Rumours are swirling in political circles about Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s future, with speculation that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham could be lined up as a potential successor. While there is no confirmation of any leadership change, the discussion has already sparked interest in what a Burnham-led Labour Party could mean for the UK’s taxi and private hire industry.
Burnham’s Strong Views on Taxi Regulation
Andy Burnham has long been vocal about reforming the way taxis and private hire vehicles are licensed. He has consistently criticised the current system of cross-border hiring, where drivers licensed in one authority can legally work in another, often hundreds of miles away.
Burnham has argued that this loophole undermines passenger safety, weakens local enforcement powers, and damages local taxi trades that comply with stricter licensing rules. He has called for a change in legislation to ensure that vehicles and drivers operate where they are licensed, along with national minimum standards to bring consistency across the country.
He has also raised concerns over the Deregulation Act 2015, which allowed private hire operators to subcontract bookings across local authority borders. Burnham and other city leaders say this has tilted the playing field in favour of large app-based companies while eroding local accountability.
What Would Change If Burnham Took Over?
If Burnham were to replace Starmer, many in the trade believe he would push for significant changes, including:
- Ending cross-border licensing – preventing drivers licensed in places like Wolverhampton from operating in cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, or London.
- Stricter enforcement powers for councils and combined authorities, allowing them to tackle out-of-area vehicles more effectively.
- Revisiting the Deregulation Act – possibly rolling back or restricting cross-border subcontracting by private hire operators.
- National safety and driver standards – ensuring all drivers meet the same vetting, language, and vehicle inspection requirements across the UK.
Such changes would be welcomed by many local taxi drivers, who argue their livelihoods are being squeezed by “out-of-town” vehicles. However, the reforms could disrupt how large operators like Uber, Bolt, and Free Now currently structure their operations.
Rumour vs Reality
At this stage, the prospect of Burnham replacing Starmer remains speculative. No official moves have been announced, and Labour has not commented on the leadership chatter.
But the rumours have highlighted a key issue: if Burnham did rise to national leadership, the taxi and private hire trade could see some of the biggest reforms since deregulation a decade ago. For drivers, operators, and passengers, it’s a development worth watching closely.
Thanks for visiting DM News! If you’ve got a question, story, or anything you’d like to say, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you! And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
One Comment
Comments are closed.