The text engraved onto these A4-sized aluminium sheets outlines the steps required to be elected as an Alderman of a ward in the City of London — a city within the city of London. Claiming to be the oldest continuously operating municipal democracy in the world, predating the UK Parliament, The City is divided into 25 wards and is home to only around 8,600 residents (approximately 0.09% of the population of London), concentrated primarily in about five wards. Owing to this unusually small residential population, corporations hold significant influence in the election of representatives and, in turn, in shaping policy within the UK’s financial centre — a country whose largest export is financial services. Traditionally, a “true Londoner” (or Cockney) was said to be born within earshot of the bells of St Mary-le-Bow church in Cheapside, located within The City. The area once reached by the sound of the Bow Bells has dramatically contracted due to noise pollution and modern building development. An image of this churches spire is repeated across the engraved text on the three aluminium panels. These are mounted on an aluminium bracket with red velvet accents, using brass fixtures.
