Politics

Socialism and the Labour Party illustration – based on a Walter Crane illustration

An illustration or political cartoon originally drawn for the Guardian newspaper, based on a Walter Crane political illustration

The cartoon illustrated an article about the Labour left in the mid 1980s, and whether it was becoming viewed as populated by leftwing extremists. This illustration is completely drawn in dip pen and ink, with the parts based on the Walter Crane original being redrawn on tracing paper (rather than being mechanically or electronically reproduced).
The pen and ink version of this illustration featured in an exhibition of Walter Crane’s work at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester.
Although the illustration was drawn in the 1980s it may equally well apply to some views of the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn in the mid 2010s.

Cartoon reference number: a554

Italy general election cartoon. Beppe Grillo wins surprise victory

Beppe Grillo’s Five Star Movement wins seats in the general election.
Is Italian politics a joke, with Grillo and Berlusconi – both comedians of sorts – now a comic double act at the top of Italian politics?

Cartoon reference number: a548

Cartoon – the danger of western military intervention in north Africa and the Middle East

Cartoon showing a military tank from a western army sinking into the desert sand. A metaphor for the west getting bogged down in regions where they intervene in internal disputes.

Areas of dispute include Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the Sahel, Mali etc.

Cartoon reference number: a515

Is the threat from terrorism exaggerated – cartoon

Illustration showing Uncle Sam looking at a relatively small terrorist threat through a pair of binoculars, magnifying the perceived threat

This cartoon first appeared in BBC Knowledge magazine.

Cartoon reference number: a336

A political cartoon or editorial illustration about the 2012 election in Egypt.
Is the arab spring now turning sour?
Is the democratic ideal about to topple?

The election in Egypt is symbolised by an Egyptian pyramid with a ballot box balanced on the top. This symbolises the instability inherent in the aftermath of the recent revolution or ‘Arab Spring’. Will Egyptian politics stay in some sort of balance or will it topple over into an undesirable state?

The cartoon shows the current situation in Egypt the Egytptian election is a race between Hosni Mubarak’s ex-prime minister Ahmed Shafiq and Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Morsi. The result is bound to be contentious and unstable.

Cartoon drawn: June 2012

Cartoon reference number: eg0612

Ronald Reagan caricature – star wars
Ronald Reagan cartoon or caricature

This political cartoon of Ronald Reagan shows Reagan with missiles instead of teeth, to illustrate his keenness for his “Star Wars” initiative of 1985

This cartoon or editorial political illustration of Ronald Reagan was published in Marxism Today

Cartoon reference number: a494

Margaret Thatcher as the Iron Lady – political lapel badge from the 1980s
Margaret Thatcher cartoon or caricature

This photograph is of a lapel badge of Margaret Thatcher as the Iron Lady/Mad Axewoman produced in the 1980s by the Socialist Workers Party (SWP)

The badge was in support of an industrial strike by steel workers, hence the slogan Smelt the Iron Lady
The original Iron Lady cartoon can be seen here

Cartoon reference number: a493

Poster showing Margaret Thatcher as the Iron Lady or the Mad Axewoman
Margaret Thatcher cartoon or caricature

This photograph of a placard of Margaret Thatcher as the Iron Lady/Mad Axewoman was taken at an anti-Thatcherism political demonstration in London

The banner was produced by the Socialist Workers Party (SWP)
The original Iron Lady cartoon can be seen here

Cartoon reference number: a492

Caricature of Margaret Thatcher as a wrecking ball
Margaret Thatcher cartoon

This cartoon of Margaret Thatcher is a comment on her desire to dismantle the welfare state

Cartoon reference number: a491

Caricature – Margaret Thatcher as a wrecking ball destroying the welfare state
This is a detail from a larger cartoon
Margaret Thatcher cartoon

This cartoon of Margaret Thatcher is a comment on her attack on the welfare state

Cartoon reference number: a491

Caricature – Margaret Thatcher as Britannia
Margaret Thatcher cartoon

A cartoon of Margaret Thatcher as Britannia.
The cartoon includes several references to political issues of the Thatcher era.

The cartoon was used on the cover of Waiving the Rules: The Constitution under Thatcherism edited by Cosmo Graham and Tony Prosser, published by the Open University Press

This is one of several Margaret Thatcher cartoons and caricatures that I drew during her premiership. To see others please type Thatcher into the search box at the top of the page.

Cartoon reference number: a488