Print

Mail

wiki links

TSU suspends changing name after `practical thinking'

The Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) said yesterday it would retain its name, despite previous declarations that it would seek a new name that would reflect its new "left of the middle," or social-democratic, approach.

TSU Spokeswoman Chiang Yueh-chin (蔣月琴) told the Taipei Times that the party would not change its name, at least not before the end of this year.

"We've been doing some practical thinking regarding the right time to change the party's name. If we change it now, it will be difficult to help the public associate the new name with the party during our campaign [for the year-end legislative election]," she said.

Asked if retaining the original title would prevent the party from reflecting its "left of the middle" approach, unveiled when TSU Chairman Huang Kun-hui assumed office last year, Chiang said that the party would demonstrate the approach to the public "through action."

Some party members are skeptical that changing the TSU's name would help reshape public perception of the party, she said.

"Reform of a political party should be a long-term [project]," Chiang said.

As part of its reforms, the TSU yesterday completed its amendment of its platform by emphasizing cooperation between the party and underprivileged groups, she said.

The TSU also hopes to build its support base through a "friends of the TSU" program by welcoming anyone who identifies with and supports the party to participate in its activities, she said.

Chiang did not specify how this system would work, but said that the "friends of the TSU" would not be entitled to run for elections on behalf of the party.
This story has been viewed 1500 times.