The Christmas Con

Well, it's nearly Christmas and I am fed up already of being sold a vision of an idyllic Christmas by tv advertisers.

You know - z-list, past-it celebrities on tv in snowy surroundings shopping at places these millionaires wouldn't touch with a barge-pole. So we've got Lulu merrily wheeling a trolley around a lower-end-of-the-market supermarket whilst in the background a recent hit pop-tune gets the obligatory Christmas bells makeover as the jingle. Awwww - ain't that wonderful, Lulu, who drives a Rolls Royce (and isn't always keen on signing autographs for fans) is actually one of us - bless! Even dour footballing "pundit" Alan Hansen's getting in on the act by also doing a commercial for this store. Good grief - stick to slating Spurs Alan!

Then there's the now obligatory Hollywood style M & S showpiece featuring Twiggy and Antonio Banderas recreating 1950's Hollywood Christmas glamour. Would either of these very wealthy people be shopping in a high street store? I think not!

I'm not even going to comment on the Trinny and Susannah one!

So, we're being sold an idyllic Christmas where there's snow on the ground, ethnic minorities don't exist, Christmas trees are wonderfully fluffy, it's always snowing and cold, people are walking around in scarved cosiness, smiling and carrying beautifully wrapped presents! There's no mugging, no happy slapping, no rape, no crime. Above all, there's no identity fraud - except for the one being performed by the advertising agencies on us by the creation of such unrealistic and unrepresentative utopias!!!!!!!!!!!!!!