A Brainstorm on alternative propaganda methods

You got the GB sentiment spot on OGW.Never could understand why a self professed internationalist socialist party used GB in the first place or have kept it for so long?I seem to recall hearing about that when I joined, the way I heard it, a lot of members objected to ditching the GB part as they thought that would lead to a loss of legacies. How short sighted? I think the GB bit has had a negative effect on the party image, it makes me cringe when I say it.If the party got shot of the GB bit I would rejoin tomorrow.Having never been to head office, I don't know the layout, size etc. But is ALB suggesting converting some of head office into a socialist cafe? If so it is a dynamite idea.DJP mentioned short films for the net, YouTube being the ideal place.1)  Viral e-mails (not sure if that is the right term, the ones that you pass around) with humour and a message. The right wing seem to use this a lot, peddling their racist bullshit.2) Festivals of all types are big these days, Glastonbury has a political field called Left Field, I think. It would cost a bit I imagine for a stall, but it could help improve the image and profile of the party. And whoever the lucky volunteers were, would have a great time as well.3) I know some members, I recall back when I was in the party, think that elections are ineffective, but in my experience they were a great way to focus branch activity. As well as potentialy gaining a decent amount exposure.4) I am hoping to set up a small scale printing workshop, T-shirts, posters, artwork etc. If I get it set up (uncertain if we are moving house or not, will know next year) I would be willing to print shirts and posters etc for the party at cost price.I'll keep on thinking.

Hi Ed,When I mentioned viral e-mails, I don't mean getting a company involved to do spam e-mails etc.I mean we put together a humorous message about a topical issue. We start by sending it to party members, who in turn send it to one or two (or more)of their friends etc. If people like them they may pass them on, it's that simple.My uncle used to send me right wing ones, jibes at imigrants, little known "facts" etc. Whether he was fully aware of their origins and purpose, I will never know. I never passed them on, but some do.

Ah (or should that be aagh?) the Party name! Actually, a majority of the Party has taken this on board for the reasons you give (nationalist connotations) and we have largely ditched the GB. Since 1988 we use the shortened version of our name "The Socialist Party" on all our leaflets, on the front of Head Office, in our press advertisements and when we contest elections, relegating the full name for historical, legal and international contexts (which, the internet being international, is the reason we use it on this site, I suppose).Another reason for doing this was to try to claim the name "The Socialist Party", to run alongside "The Labour Party", "The Conservative Party", "The Communist Party", etc. Unfortunately, the Militant Tendency made the same analysis and changed their name to "Socialist Party", despite the fact that we'd been using this ourselves since 1904.At the time some members opposed to the bitter end this change in the name by which we wanted to be called, the bitter end being their expulsion for refusing not to use "The Socialist Party of Great Britain". Seems silly, I know but feelings run high on things like this. In fact, in my view, this was the worse thing that has ever happened to the Party in its existence.So, I'm sure you'll understand members' reluctance to re-open the matter, not even to gain another member. It's playing with dynamite, but I suppose this is allowed in a brainstorming.

Actually, we did used to go to Glastonbury.

I agree with that. In fact, apart from London, the only branch that has done this consistently is the North East.

Thanks, but you should liaise with Comrade Veronica Clanchy of Poole who likes to sell these sort of things but has to get them done commercially. She does mugs, balloons and umbrellas as well.

Perhaps because our case was "made in Great Britain"?More likely, though, that unlike most other countries the English-speaking countries have had a history of stable parliamentary government that has never been suspended (as it has in all other European countries except Sweden and Switzerland); which has made our case for using elections and parliament more credible. Note that "our political cousins" the SLP of America also envisage using the ballot box.  Whatever the reason, nearly all of those we could regard as Socialists in other European countries are anti-parliamentary.

What a good idea OGW, hope someone comes up with a form where this could work.YFS Steve.Over to the site movers and shakers!

As for the "Great Britain" , it well may have to be debated once again if Scotland gets a yes vote for independence (although personally i doubt it will). Edinburgh and Glasgow branches will have to consider hat to call themselves when standing in elections. Scottish Socialist Party, Socialist Party of Scotland are already taken. Repeatedly the suggestion of calling ourself the World Socialist Party is raised. I note that the small New Zealand group have now opted for this.  http://www.worldsocialism.org/nz/auckland/hist.htm I can understand why some a reluctant to change, such as members in the SPC who cling to the history of it. The WSPUS was originally the WORKERS party but faced a similar challenge as we do of another political party hijacking thatname. The now WSP of IRELAND which included Northern Ireland members I think found that in their local politics the GB was a handicap. We have registered with the electoral commission a variety of titles for our party. Adam can refresh us of those, perhaps

Just remembered. We have also registered:SPGB