THERE are calls for Uber to be stripped of its licence to operate in Brighton and Hove following last week’s decision in the capital.

A union rally will be held outside the Labour party conference today with GMB bosses demanded an end to what they call “unregulated out-of-town cowboy operators”.

Much of the opening day of the conference was dominated with discussion of Uber with shadow chancellor John McDonnell branding the company a “disgrace”.

Mr McDonnell told ITV’s Peston on Sunday: “Hand on heart, I don’t think I’ve ever used Uber.

“The company is a disgrace. You have to abide by the law. If the company was outside the law, what could Transport for London do?

“I think the company is at fault here. Four months ago they were told to get their act together and they didn’t.”

GMB’s Brighton and Hove branch is calling on the Brighton and Hove City Council to follow in the footsteps on Transport for London -which did not renew Uber’s licence in the capital.

From 11am Brighton GMB drivers and supporters will be driving up and down the seafront in protest and handing out leaflets to those attending the Labour conference.

Mick Rix, GMB national officer for taxi and private hire drivers, said: “Our taxi and private hire industry is descending into a wild west situation with unscrupulous operators exploiting governments’ failure to regulate properly.

“GMB demands reform for the UK taxi and private hire industry.

“In Brighton, as in many other towns and cities across the country, the local trade is under serious threat from out-of-town drivers that do not conform to local licensing conditions.

“The anything-goes approach due to the governments taxi de-regulation in 2015 is endangering the livelihoods of good - and safe, locally licensed – drivers.

“It has seen authorities dish out licenses like sweeties.”

He described Transport for London’s decision not to renew Uber’s licence as brave.

He said: “Passenger safety is being put at serious risk every day – and the public no longer has any confidence that cars and drivers are locally licensed, passing stringent tests and background checks.”

Fred Jones, Uber’s UK head of cities, said the mayor and TfL had “caved to pressure from a small number of individuals and groups that want to protect the status quo and reduce consumer choice and competition from London”.

The company is calling for urgent meetings with the mayor of London.

More than 500,000 people have signed a petition urging TfL to reverse its decision not to renew the licence.