Variant 13 Summer 2001

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The Tainted Word - William Clark
An investigation into the work of the often quoted but little understood consultancy Demos. This begins with their input into arts policy and the background to one or two of their key figures. The organisations which have sprung from Demos are analysed (one looks like a secret society) and the article ends with further analysis and comment on the government's adoption and enforcement of policies based on the very flawed and spurious social analysis which Demos - for a price - provide. It should be read in conjunction with the Bob Holman interview below.

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I am not not-innocent - James Kelman
A powerful work exposing the numerous injustices and perversions of the criminal justice system. Touching on the cases of the Birmingham Six and Guildford Four; the Tottenham Three, the Winchester Three, Cardiff Three and Gloucester Three - the article shows that with these and other miscarriages of justice the crucial issue of the identity of the true killers is often ignored. This is a deep and penetrating work. It sets forth that among the factors at play, Racism and class prejudice are so often at the root.

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Tales of the Great Unwashed - Ian Brotherhood
Stretching stereotypical figures, animal cruelty and industrial-strength cider to excruciating lengths.

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Comic and Zine Review - Mark Pawson
Another round-up of the bewildering, intriguing and enchanting universe of miscellaneous marginal debris or priceless works of art. You never can tell.

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Concerns About the Nature and Application of the New Terrorism Act - Various
This is a record from a discussion prompted by the widespread concerns about the nature and application of the new Terrorism Act. The implications for human rights and its impact on minority communities. It argues that Parliament's ratification of the proscription of 21 international organisations making it an offence to further their activities in any way fundamentally offended individual human rights. No distinction was drawn between violent and non-violent actions. The Act was a charter for suppressing both ideas and cultural identities and compromised the country's respected tradition of offering sanctuary to political refugees and dissenters.

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The Iron Chancellor - Robin Ramsay
A plain-speaking and informative short analysis of the popular misconceptions which surround the UK's Chancellor, Gordon Brown. Ramsay throws a great deal of light on the dark corners of Brown's psyche. Flaws? you bet.

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Being Here, Bob Holman Interviewed - William Clark
A former professor of social administration at Bath University, Holman moved to Glasgow' s Easterhouse to work amongst the people there. The interview draws on his experience but mainly focuses on the double-dealing and hidden agendas which infests the administration of the poor. Inspiring stuff.

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As it never was - Peter Kravitz
Kravitz was the editor of the influential Edinburgh Review and draws on his experience there to present a masterful review of the last 20 years or so of Scottish literature. This is a circumspect assessment of what has changed and emerged. It explores the underlying hidden history of convergence and struggles and how these related and contributed to wider culture developments.

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Remembrances of things past - Louise Crawford
Beginning with very poignant and pertinent observations on the reception and history of experimental film, this brings its focus three differing exhibitions from the work of three artists: Tacita Dean, Matthias Müller and Yann Beauvais.

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New Labour's Arms Trade - Phil England
The arms exporting policy of the UK has provided the country with a record of shame. The article asks whether the Labour Party's declaration of an "ethical foreign policy" means any real reform, and whether anything has actually changed with the new government's policy. Drawing on a wide range of source material, including the Campaign Against the Arms Trade, this is a straight forward, well set out exploration of the political twists and turns of a murderous business.

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