The Evening Standard in London is kindly keeping track of prices in the capital (which apparently are escalating wildly beyond those in the provinces). The paper's "Lifestyle Index" measures inflation against a basket of everyday essentials. These include a medium avocado, salmon fillets, a dozen free-range eggs and annual membership of Cannons Health Club. Instantly recognisable purchases to the average shopper in Woolwich or New Cross.
I've now studied the Special Constable poster in more detail (see blogs passim ) and can reveal the idea is even more complex and bizarre than I first thought. You'll recall that a Special is on some seedy looking street corner, just yards away from where a drug deal is in progress. He's keenly observing events and looks ready to take some kind of action. The copy says that Specials wear uniform and always have back-up. But this guy is on his own in plain clothes. Worrying. Perhaps he's off duty but just can't leave the policing thing alone? Once a part-time copper, always a part-time copper. But wait. There is back up. It comes in the form of the constable's own reflection in a puddle. If he took his eyes off the criminal activity for just a second and took the trouble to look down at his feet, he'd see that in Puddle Land, he is wearing a uniform and carrying a radio. There's enough material here to fill a semiotics seminar for a day. If I disco...
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