SAlt and VicSocialists member Daniel Lopez gives a fair assessment of their prospects: “[I]n the twelve months following the 2019 federal election, the party’s two main constituent groups — Socialist Alliance and Socialist Alternative — retreated into their usual routines. Lacking an alternative leadership and structures such as branches, a staff, offices, etc., VS lapsed into unofficial hiatus. In recent months, following a debate initiated by a number of independent VS members, this situation has begun to transform. Recent party meetings have decided to initiate a membership drive, create committees to facilitate activism, increase the rate of dues, upgrade internal and external communications and to host events on a regular basis. If these spaces are utilised by VS’s members — especially those who do not belong to another group — the party may be rejuvenated. It may even flourish. … Sadly, the Socialist Alliance took this debate as its cue to depart the coalition. It would be naïve, however, to assume that this will leave VS out for the count, especially given its considerable independent membership and the undeniable tenacity of its remaining constituent group, Socialist Alternative. Nevertheless, long-term success will require electoral wins — which may be more difficult given party’s relative lack of implantation in local communities and the phased introduction of single-councillor wards.”
19 May 2020