BY RUSSELL PICKERING
PERTH — Left unity was the topic of discussion at a November 12 Socialist Alliance public meeting, attended by 40 people. The speakers at the forum included Democratic Socialist Party (DSP) district secretary Nikki Ulasowski, Perth branch committee member of the International Socialist Organisation (ISO) Wade McDonald and Socialist Alliance national executive member Chris Cain.
Ulasowski outlined the DSP's perspectives for strengthening left unity in Australia, including its desire to see the socialist groups in Australia unite into one party. Left unity was best advanced now, Ulasowski argued, by continuing and deepening the collaboration within the Socialist Alliance.
McDonald agreed with Ulasowski's assessment that the current political period has had a polarising effect on the population. He argued, however, that whilst people were breaking from their support for the ALP they were not breaking from Laborism. He concluded that, therefore, if the Socialist Alliance became a revolutionary organisation it would cut off this potential support base.
McDonald argued that a recent internal DSP report, which he tabled at the meeting, showed the DSP had another agenda. The DSP has posted that report, however, on its web site at <http://www.dsp.org.au>. He stated that the ISO, like the DSP, wanted left unity but wanted an open time frame for that process.
Chris Cain told the meeting that the Socialist Alliance should aim to provide an alternative to the Labor Party. He said that he joined the alliance in order to be part of one united left group. He said that the hostile reaction to the DSP's initial proposal, to reorganise itself as a tendency within the alliance, should stop. He said members of the Socialist Alliance needed to put differences aside and engage in comradely debate and discussion leading up to the Socialist Alliance May national conference, at which the question of regroupment should be decided.
In discussion, a wide range of views were canvassed. A Socialist Alliance member, who is not a member of any affiliated organisation, claimed that McDonald had misinterpreted the DSP's internal document. Unionist Ian Bolas, who argued against sectarianism and said that the discussion was a "storm in a tea-cup", received applause.
From Green Left Weekly, November 20, 2002.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page.