Aquarium socialist 

An aquarium socialist is part of a left wing minority in a generally anti-left wing party, usually liberal or conservative in nature if not name. They are generally kept around in a tokenistic manner to foster the myth that the party they are in is democratic and ideologically pluralistic, but are never allowed to attain any serious power within that party. The more right wing factions in the party will behave as aggrieved narcissists and begrudge them forever if they succeed for a while in attaining power over the party despite their efforts.

Examples include progressive Democrats in the USA and the left wing of the UK Labour Party (for most of the last 40 years)

"No we can't split the vote by having an actually left wing party, we have to vote for the lesser evil or <greater evil> will win."

"Bro, we've been doing this shit your way for decades and got nothing to show for it. We'e tried voting for the lesser evil and impotently whining that we're still stuck with evil. It hasn't worked, it won't work. Stop being an aquarium socialist and help us build a real alternative."

Aquarium socialist by Il Senza Preteze May 14, 2025