Web discussions: Labor renewal or split?

While the subject of a split in the ALP is hypothetical, the question still remains how the conundrum of the present dispute in the Labor Party n the eve of an election campaign is going to be resolved to the advantage of working people. That a split is being talked about is suggestive of the politics that may be in play and the frustration. These issue bear down strongly on the ALP left and its responses are now being debated both inside and outside the party in this thread on the GLW list.

To be honest, I think we're only talking about a few hundred ALP members who are formally members of Left factions. Beyond that there are thousands who vote for their candidates, and the organisers of Left unions. .. But I think there is the potential to organise more determinedly, if only the Left leadership was willing to mobilise its own rank and file, and bring new people into the faction: to broaden participation rather than narrow it down. Beyond that, I think there are thousands of ALP members who would join a new political formation if the Left exited the ALP en masse; including Left parliamentarians. But I think there are many others, sympathetic to the Left, who would remain; and they would find themselves marginalised within the Party. --