Sometimes it’s hard not to be cynical. Below are the greetings sent to the LCR on behalf of the SWP and Respect. The first one doesn’t mention what a thoroughly bad idea its author thought Besancenot’s candidature was. Though no doubt the congratulations are heartfelt.

The second is more than a little disingenuous. Contrast everything about the LCR’s method of operation to that of Respect at the moment. The LCR’s candidate has emerged as a national political figure who is widely popular among young people and militant workers. He expressly shuns celebrity status and is responsible to his organisation. And the MP for Bethnal Green…

The LCR permitted a very vigourous discussion among its members about the range of electoral options open to it. This was conducted in public in Rouge. By contrast attempts to have fairly timid discussions about Respect’s future at the 2005 conference were met with a reaction that was accurately described as “Healyism without the violence”. Younger readers can research who Gerry Healy was.

The LCR has eclipsed the PCF in these elections. Among vanguard workers in France that will be a fact of real significance. Nowhere can you point to a comparable success in Britain. The big thing that has made Besancenot and the LCR such an attractive alternative for so many French youth and workers is its transparent pluralism and committment to socialist democracy. That is one of the big lessons to draw from their result. One can but hope.

Alex Callinicos

Congratulations to the comrades of the Ligue! Whatever our
disagreements over the road leading here, you have done magnificently
to maintain your position on a night when clearly the vote of the
radical left has been badly squeezed. Good luck in the anti-Sarko
campaign in the second round and in the legislatives!

*********************************
Respect

congratulations

Dear Comrades,

On behalf of Respect we would like to congratulate the LCR and
Olivier on your election result.

We are heartened at the sucess of a 100% anti-capitalist. anti-
imperialist and anti-racist force in the presidential elections. The
LCR is in the vanguard of the radical left in France and is vital to
the emergence of a new left in Europe.

We congratulate you on the vitality of the campaign and on Olivier’s
success in connecting with the most vibrant and dynamic elements in the
French working class and social movements.

You are an inspiration to us and we look forward to continuing our
work with you on different fronts of resistance to the new world order.

Venceramos, (sic)

Chris Bambery and John Rees, on behalf of the Respect Executive.