Q. I organise a Conservative Patrons' Club that raises funds
for the party and is going rather well. We have one member who is upsetting the others. He dominates the conversation, asks the speakers questions aggressively, and interrupts them. His questions are knowledgable and shrewd. His manner offends. How can we civilise him?
Name and address withheld A. Collude with another member — a known donor — that she should not attend the next meeting. This will enable you to announce that said member sends her apologies and is sorry to be unable to attend but she is feeling 'rather low'. Then add, 'It is always sad when people confuse the normal rumbustious appetite for debate that we have become used to witnessing with hostility and aggression. However, it has to be said that certain people have been manifestly cowed by those members who are more dominant. It has never been more important that, as a party, we should display unity, and so I would ask any members present who feel they may be guilty of Paxmanism to remember that the purpose of our meetings is to raise funds for the party, not to frighten donors away.' At this point, a pre-arranged number of members should turn to stare pointedly at the member responsible.
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