Freedom Socialist Bulletin • Number 35 • Winter/Spring 2006In the last issue of the Freedom Socialist Bulletin (Number 34), we published an article, “Rescue Plan Needed for Socialist Alliance.” The piece contained our analysis of the problems which beset the Socialist Alliance and criticised decisions taken by the Democratic Socialist Perspective, which we believe damaged Socialist Alliance. We ended this piece with a call for those disenchanted with the direction of Socialist Alliance to work with us to “take back” the Socialist Alliance so that it “functions in a democratic fashion, respects minorities and is not dominated by a single tendency.” We reassessed our conclusion and think that the call for a rescue plan was a mistake. Such a proposal cannot achieve its goals in an organisation where most non-aligned members have left, other affiliates have scaled back their involvement or disaffiliated and one tendency dominates. Our call had the effect of misleading people, because it was wishful rather than realistic. The Freedom Socialist Party stands by the analysis contained in the article, but not the conclusion. We are currently reviewing our position in relation to Socialist Alliance and will either reaffirm our status as an affiliate or disaffiliate. We will make this decision after thorough discussion among our membership. We do, however, support efforts by Socialist Alliance to maintain its electoral registration federally and at a state level. In Victoria, the Electoral Commission is once again putting Socialist Alliance through undemocratic, bureaucratic hoops to register, as a small party, for the upcoming State election. We urge our readers, if approached by SA, to assist them. Freedom Socialist Party, July 2006 |
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