It looked like a scene of solidarity as trade unionists marched through St Giles in Oxford with their placards.

They were protesting about cuts in public services being made by the Labour Government in 1976.

But harmony turned to disharmony later when they gathered at a meeting at Oxford College of Further Education.

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Speakers from the public service unions were shouted down by militants, who wanted their representative to be heard.

Trouble began as soon as chairman Chris Luker started to introduce the platform speakers. He ignored demands that a delegate from Oxford and District Trades Council should be heard.

The demands became louder as the four speakers rose to address the meeting, with shouts that it was undemocratic.

The four speakers continued throughout the uproar, accusing the barrackers of “acting like hooligans” and demonstrating “infantile Leftism”.

Geoffrey Drain, of Nalgo, representing local government workers, told them: “With this sort of behaviour, there is no hope of avoiding the cuts which undoubtedly will come in the future.”

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When the speakers left the hall, trades council president Gerry Casey grabbed the microphone.

He said it was time words ceased and action began, adding: “If we relied on trade union bureaucracy to save services, we would wait for 2,000 years before action is taken.”

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One of the earlier speakers, Reg Bird, of ASTMS, representing scientific and technical staff, said: “A lot of hard work and a very valuable meeting has been spoiled. This maverick element in Oxford simply damages what we are trying to achieve.”

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF