After the election

There's an interesting review of Red Pepper's analysis of Respect's campaign in the run up to the election that makes some valid points, particularly regarding the challenges Respect will face after the election, however itl turns out in the current target constituencies. Good to see a more balanced view for once. The author of the Socialist Unity Network item rightly says that at last, "somebody has gone beyond the usual dichotomy between Respect as the best thing since sliced bread versus the grumpy sectarian write-off." One might that it also makes a refreshing change from the cynical, dishonest, Stalinist name calling from the ex-CPers, ex-Clause 4 members and Labour right wingers that inhabit the pages of The Observer and lurk around sites like the execrable Harry's Place.

Welcome to Gramsci's Grill

Intellectual barflys have the Whiskey Bar, Leninists have the Tomb, Gramsci's Grill is opening its doors with the modest aim of providing cultural cuisine and political piatti for organic intellectuals. The menu may turn out to veer more in the direction of antipasti rather than larger, more robust dishes but hey, we're just starting out, experimenting and trying to find our feet.

The left needs places where it can exchange ideas and create a more vibrant, heterodox culture. The Grill hopes it will grow into one of those places.