My main opposition to these is that there is little point to them, other than taking jobs away from people and funneling more of our money to California.

Just because it's potentially feasible (and this remains to be seen given the UKs annoying propensity for curved roads and infrastructure older than the 1800s...), isn't enough of a reason to go ahead with it if there's no tangible benefit to the public.

Do Uber drivers know they are protesting for the benefit of their own executioner?

I would not be surprised if Uber Corp have been feeding subtle links and info about Wayve to drivers in an attempt to stifle the competition so they can push their own later on.