Confronting the Bams

Many years ago I was in the company of Hugh Wyper - a leading figure in the TGWU union - and a man who knew a thing or two about dealing with unruly hecklers.

A contemporary of Michael McGahey - the Scottish miners' leader and fellow member of the Communist Party - Hugh was a leading exponent of 'confronting the bams'.

But only if he was treated rudely or with a lack of respect.

A policy now officially endorsed by Gary Tank Commander - for the Scottish election campaign - see post dated 25 April 2011: 'Confront the Bams'.

Anyway I was in Hugh Wyper's company at some trade union march and demonstration in Edinburgh.

At the end of which he was approached - in a less than friendly fashion, as I recall - by a group of people from the Socialist Workers Party - some of whom claimed to be members of the TGWU.

Apparently they were on strike - a much more common occurrence in those days.

But they demanded to know when their leader - one Hugh Wyper - was going to get off his lazy backside and support the said members - because they were paying his 'effing' wages.

Refusing to be intimidated, Hugh enquired politely of the baying mob: "How long have you been on strike, then?"

"Six weeks", they cried in unison.

"Six weeks", answered Hugh incredulously. "Ah've held my 'effing' breath for longer".

And he walked off - leaving the hecklers silent and dumfounded in his wake.

Gary Tank Commander would have been proud.

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