After a marathon four hour plus full council last night, a few hours kip and then an early start this morning for a regional transport meeting in Ipswich, I have had a chance to reflect on the events of full council last night.
I was genuinely surprised at the comments by Cllr Wexham in comparing the town's taxi trade to the mafia, but stunned when I offered him the chance to retract his comments that he chose not to.
Whilst I am sure this story will rumble on over the next few days and the trade will make a robust response to Cllr Wexham's comments I do wonder if such comments would have ever been said about the bus or train service in the town.
The fact is the taxi trade play an integral role in Southend's public transport service as they are the only mode of public transport in this town providing a 24/7 service. I mean, without them, who would take home the drunks and the late night revellers this evening!
Again, what this episode has highlighted is the urgent need for live and on demand streaming of council meetings over the Internet, so more residents can access what is being said by its elected representatives on their behalf.
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