The Workers Party’s National Members Council (NMC) convened on Saturday, September 23, and resolved to withdraw as an observer on the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) steering committee. This decision follows repeated articles and statements from TUSC members perceived as hostile to the Workers Party.

Despite the withdrawal, the NMC reaffirmed its commitment to avoiding unnecessary electoral clashes with progressive groups, while emphasizing the importance of building the party’s presence through election participation.

A Strategic Decision

The resolution reflects the party’s desire to steer clear of factional disputes while maintaining focus on electoral goals. The Workers Party has consistently outperformed other left-leaning groups, including TUSC, in elections. For instance, in the last General Election, the Workers Party’s top candidates achieved significantly higher vote shares compared to TUSC’s highest performer, Dave Nellist, who garnered 797 votes (2.2%).

In a head-to-head comparison in 14 contested seats, Workers Party candidates secured higher vote counts in 13 instances, demonstrating superior voter engagement. The average vote per candidate further highlights this distinction: Workers Party candidates averaged 1,382.85 votes, far surpassing TUSC’s 314.05.

Balancing Collaboration and Independence

The Workers Party remains open to collaboration, provided it aligns with mutual respect and electoral strategy. However, standing aside for other groups at the expense of party-building efforts is untenable.

“If we continually stand aside, we abandon our party-building aims, which is not possible,”

the NMC emphasized.

As the Workers Party focuses on strengthening its electoral foothold, the decision to part ways with TUSC underscores a strategic recalibration. By avoiding unnecessary clashes while asserting its right to contest seats, the party aims to solidify its position as a leading force in progressive politics.