If so, that makes them, as I believe, still sympathetic to the "philosophy" if not the fact of communism. After all, they are believers in socialism. Communism does not really differ much from "socialism," as it is, after all, a type of socialism.
No, there are plenty of non-communist traditions in the left: Anarchism, Democratic Socialism, and the welfare state.
If so, that makes them, as I believe, still sympathetic to the "philosophy" if not the fact of communism. After all, they are believers in socialism. Communism does not really differ much from "socialism," as it is, after all, a type of socialism.
You should read up on the actual actions of the Communist part and their fronts. They murdered thousands of non-Communist leftists. There is no greater conflict than internicine ones where one side is totalitarian in nature.