Comrades,
This conference statement and resolution has been prepared and endorsed by us on behalf of signatories to "Developing the Common Socialist Voice", the Open Letter to Socialist Alliance from non-aligned members. This letter has been circulating through the Alliance distribution network since 29/03/03, and can be found in the April Discussion Bulletin, Vol.3, no.3. At this point in time, 156 (approximately 33%) of non-aligned members have endorsed the Open Letter, some 90% of those able to be directly consulted. This represents the overwhelming majority of the most active layer of non-aligned members, reflected in 45 signatories being delegates.
This statement and resolution is based upon the Open Letter and a draft has been circulated through the pre-conference discussion bulletin, vol.3, no.5, for consideration and amendment by signatories. Our conference caucus has finalised this statement based upon this consultation process.
The non-aligned initiative arose out of grave concerns by members for the future of the Alliance, generated in particular by the debate between Affiliates over whether we should move from being a predominately electoral alliance to a single, multi-tendency socialist party. We wanted, and need to have, our voices heard in this debate on par with those of the Affiliates. Non-aligned are over 50% of the membership of the Alliance, and with all due respect to the foundation groups, we are now also central to its future.
The Open Letter, as an expression of member aspirations and concerns, makes seven core points:
1. We want the Alliance to become a single, multi-tendency socialist party. It is the reason we joined the Alliance project, and embodies the most urgent desire across wide sections of the socialist and progressive working class milieu for effective unity in the struggle against the capitalist system.
2. We want to progress this move right now, starting with this conference. The time is ripe politically, with the expanding imperialist war in the Middle East, declining working class support for the ALP and its pro-capitalist agenda, and the break to the left reflected in a surge in Green support. The time is also ripe organisationally, in fact over ripe. Members have been feeling a frustration and an inertia starting to settle into the Alliance. Uncertainty over what we are as an organisation, and lack of full commitment from Affiliates, is preventing us from maximising political opportunities. There have been achievements, but so much more could of been achieved had this been already settled. We need to resolve this now.
3. A commitment from Affiliates to building the SA through greater affiliate integration needs to be demonstrated, in word and in deed.
We recognise the pace of greater integration will be uneven across Affiliates, and that this may be complicated by obligations some Affiliates have to international parent organisations. Nevertheless, the commitment must be tangible from each individual Affiliate, in particular with respect to accepting accelerated integration from other Affiliates. We welcome pre-conference statements from those Affiliates who have outlined their intention to purse this goal of greater integration as a matter of priority, and the convergence with the aspirations of the non-aligned membership it represents.
4. Our multi-tendency socialist party should be as broad as possible. All who consider themselves socialist, of whatever stripe, should be welcome in our ranks. But it has to be a distinctly Socialist party. We are not simply an anti-capitalist opposition party. We are for the replacement of capitalism with socialism. This gives our Alliance an intrinsic transformational dynamic. It clearly separates us from other parties, particularly the Greens. It also provides us with the solid foundation to build united fronts and coalitions within the working class and anti-capitalist movement, and win new layers to our side.
5. We accept and welcome a strong revolutionary socialist stream as an integral part of our vision of a broad Socialist party. All the foundation Affiliates are based in this tradition, and a substantial number of non-aligned members as well. The very presence and greater integration of the revolutionary Affiliates as tendencies ensures the continuation and vitality of this tradition in all its diversity. We need and want their theoretical and political experience, perspectives and resources to grow the Alliance and help plot the road ahead. We want all the Affiliates to pursue greater integration, not just some. The unique perspective each brings will, of course, not always find its way into the majority platform, strategy and tactics of the party. We all need to be patient and constructive in our respective contributions, and in our listening to what others are saying, and accept the majority outcome. The constructive engagement of differences will strengthen and deepen the intellectual and political capacity of the party and enable it to move forward with an effective unity.
6. We need strong democratic structures to accommodate diversity. Diversity is not just where we are now but also where we want to be in the future. We want socialists and socialist organisations currently outside the Alliance to join us down the track. The door is always open. Some existing differences will melt away as we move forward and new ones will emerge. Lack of democracy is the oxygen for dummy spits and dummy splits. All tendencies and individual members need to be able to have an active voice within the party, its decision-making bodies and committees, as well as being able to project their voice outside the party to the wider working class and progressive social movements. But with democracy and active voice comes obligation and responsibility. We cannot and must not allow ourselves to become a talk shop. Nor can we allow the will of the majority to be paralyzed or undermined by action on minority positions. Socialist democracy is also active unity on the majority course. We want to have a consensus-building activist culture but we should not be run by consensus. Majority vote on all decision-making bodies must prevail. Above all, socialists are about translating ideas into action, and action into outcomes, that bring us closer to our common goal.
7. We need a common socialist voice: in our platform, in a national paper, and in our campaigns. Disunity is more than a weakness. It is a gift to the ruling class and a dagger into the heart of the working class. We should be exposing and exploiting the disunities and weaknesses of the ruling class and its petty-bourgeois support strata, not seeking to promote and validate our own. Our movement has had a long history and it has been a bitter struggle against a strong opponent. There have been many gains, fluctuating fortunes, some serious losses, and more mistakes than we care to admit. Collectively we have learned a lot, often the hard way, and we are carrying some baggage from that long struggle that we need to confront and shed. The seemingly intractable disunity of our movement as a whole reflects that. We have turned in on ourselves and in some respects lost sight of what our mission really is. Sectarian division and empty phrasemongering is not going to get it done. 95% of the working class is barely aware of our existence and, of the 5% that are, 95% of them don't understand the differences between us. We have serious work to do: Regroup our forces, turn ourselves outward as a unifying bloc for our diverse class, and make socialism vs capitalism the central agenda.
During the conference, the non-aligned caucus will be putting forward a slate of 11 non-aligned signatories to the Open Letter as candidates for National Executive: one from each State and Territory plus an additional one each from NSW, Victoria and WA. We propose that this represents approximately half the positions on the executive, with the balance consisting of Affiliate representation.
This proposal is based on several considerations, with a view to overcoming the current logjam in the Affiliate debate within the Alliance. A non-aligned caucus of 11 executive positions will equate to a balance of voting power on the executive. As signatories to the Open Letter, and commitment to its core 7 points in this caucus resolution, the non-aligned executive caucus can provide a structural safeguard to all Affiliate concerns reflected in this debate. Moreover, it provides a mediating oversight to the unity process.
Affiliates who are able to accelerate their integration can be assured that their dissolution into the Alliance and commitment of resources will not be compromised, exploited or frustrated by lack of will, or political ill will, by other Affiliates. We will move forward on the 7 points and make determined progress to meet the objectives set out.
Affiliates who need more time in the process of greater integration and/or who have concerns over domination and lack of voice can be assured their constitutional tendency rights will be protected in practice. The non-aligned caucus has a shared interest and concern in having those same rights protected for the non-aligned membership as a whole. We are committed to all 7 points, not just those applying to one party, greater integration and a common voice.
National representation in the non-aligned executive caucus insures that any regional and branch issues that may emerge between Affiliates through the unity process can be quickly addressed. Problems need to be effectively mediated and resolved before they become intractable and undermine Alliance work.
By extension, we also propose to have 2 members of the non-aligned executive caucus serve as National Conveners, in a body expanded to accommodate the transition process.
The non-aligned caucus proposes that these 7 points be adopted by conference at the outset. This will set the parameters for the remaining conference process to work out the structural framework that gives effect to the 7 points. We have 2 days to get it sorted. Then let's get to work!
In Unity,
Humphrey McQueen, Canberra branch: Delegate and Reporter
Chris Cain, Perth/Fremantle branch: Delegate and Executive Candidate (WA)
Edith Leonard, Perth/Fremantle branch: Executive Candidate (WA)
David Scrimgeour, Adelaide branch: Delegate and Executive Candidate (SA)
Maureen Murphy, Wills branch: Delegate and Executive Candidate (Vic)
Simon Millar, Wills branch: Delegate and Executive Candidate (Vic)
Dave Riley, Brisbane Branch: Delegate and Executive Candidate (Qld)
Ray Hayes, Darwin branch: Executive Candidate (NT)
Linda Seaborn, Hobart branch: Delegate and Executive Candidate (Tas)
Raul Bassi, Bankstown branch: Delegate and Executive Candidate (NSW)
Michael Morphett, Sydney North branch: Delegate and Executive Candidate (NSW)
John van der Velden, Canberra branch: Delegate and Executive Candidate (ACT)