
Media Watch: When political cartoons overstep the mark
On the back of an almighty row between former Labour MP Zarah Sultana and The Observer that broke out on Monday, we delve into the archives this week to look at the tricky subject of political cartoons and when artists take them just that bit too far.
Observer slated for 'racist' cartoon
On page 33 of Sunday's edition of The Observer, a cartoon by Saffron Swire was published mocking a new party set to be created by Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn.
The busy and colourful cartoon depicted an 'invitation' to Jeremy Corbyn's 'party'. The ex-Labour leader was dressed in a Saturday Night Fever style red outfit branded with the Communist Party logo. Whatever your political ties, you can clearly see the fun and satire in this.
Brownfacing a box of raisins and mocking my surname.
Exactly what you'd expect from a right-wing hack who is the daughter of an aristocrat and ex-Tory MP. https://t.co/Zvyt4NlS7M pic.twitter.com/Krhvk8sLCy — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 20, 2025
But another part of the image caused issues for The Observer. In the corner there was an image of a "goodie bag" containing a box of raisins saying "Zarah Sultanas" on it, with the image of a "brownfaced" version of the famous Sun-Maid woman.
Sultana was furious and this fury did not dissipate when The Observer issued a one-line apology saying it would remove the cartoon from its site.
This is mealy-mouthed and refuses to call it what it is: racism.
It doesn't even have the decency to name me, let alone offer a direct apology.
Supine journalism from The Observer, but sadly that's what we've come to expect from the mainstream media. https://t.co/QGeOqxf3jY — Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana) July 21, 2025
She accused the paper of racism, as did many others which ultimately forced bosses into taking down the cartoon.
Sultana said: 'This is mealy-mouthed and refuses to call it what it is: racism.
"It doesn't even have the decency to name me, let alone offer a direct apology.
'Supine journalism from The Observer, but sadly that's what we've come to expect from the mainstream media."
Cartoons are meant to be satirical, they are meant to challenge ideas and make people laugh, but this is a classic example of how they can sometimes overstep the line, and it's not the first time it's happened.
SNP first ministers 'hanged'
A cartoon for The Times by Peter Brookes proved unpopular last year as it depicted Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf with their heads in nooses shaped like the SNP logo.
John Swinney, who at the time was expected to be confirmed as the SNP's new leader, was shown putting his head into a fourth noose and saying: 'I'm the continuity candidate.'
Brookes shared the image and saw his cartoon labelled 'distasteful' and 'sick'.
Andrew Neil also sparked uproar when he shared the cartoon on social media calling it 'brilliant'.
Again, what could have been quite an amusing cartoon about the SNP's leadership struggles at the time just took things way too far.
SNP figures on crosses
Sadly this was a pretty familiar pattern from Brookes. The year before, the cartoonist released a drawing of Yousaf, Sturgeon and ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell tied to Saltire crosses.
It has the caption: 'Always look on the bright side of life'.
The cartoon was described as 'unhinged'.
Then SNP president Michael Russell said at the time: 'It illustrates the contempt that The Times at ownership and management level has for the SNP.'
Decapitated Sturgeon
And as if hanging and sacrificing her on a cross was not enough, political cartoonist Dave Brown was also slated in 2023 for another 'grotesque' image.
Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scottish FM & out come the cliches & stereotypes of Scotland. We get tartanry, bagpipes, hills & glens. Along with the portrayal of violence towards women in public life. Below from Dave Brown & Patrick Blower. pic.twitter.com/QKv0wDBtgC — Gerry Hassan (@GerryHassan) February 15, 2023
The cartoonist depicted the then-first minster playing the bagpipes in a kilt with her severed head on the ground next to her.
It followed Sturgeon's announcement she would step down as First Minister. The image was published in The Independent, which referred to Sturgeon as the "Margaret Thatcher of Scotland".

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

South Wales Argus
3 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire County Council 'key decisions' not published
Monmouthshire County Council agreed a change to its constitution in April that 'key decisions' made by council officers be published on the authority's website. The intention is doing so would allow councillors outside of the Labour-led cabinet to call them in for review if necessary. But Conservative member for Shirenewton, Cllr Louise Brown, questioned if that has happened. She told the full council's July meeting: 'I haven't seen any key decisions published. There must be some?'. She asked how the council will ensure the decisions are published and Labour cabinet member Councillor Angela Sandles said the decisions have to be published on the council website within two days of them being taken and they can't be implemented for five days to allow them to be called in. But the Magor East and Undy councillor said she didn't know the answer as to why seemingly no decisions have been published and said she would get back to Cllr Brown. Cllr Sandles, also in response to Cllr Brown, confirmed the council is working to 'improve' its forward planner. There has been repeated criticism over some decisions not being included on the planner and Cllr Sandles said the intention is to mark which have already been listed to go before a scrutiny committee so councillors and committee chairs can also see which others they may want to discuss.


The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Jeremy Corbyn reveals new political party ‘that belongs to you'
Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed he is setting up a new political party with Zarah Sultana. The former Labour Party leader stated it is 'time for a new kind of political party - one that belongs to you'. Zarah Sultana previously announced plans for a new left-wing party, citing a broken Westminster and wealth inequality. She aims to offer an alternative to 'managed decline and broken promises'. Neil Kinnock criticised the move, calling it a 'Farage assistance party' that would 'only assist the parties of the right', including Kemi Badenoch 's Conservatives and Reform UK.


Daily Mail
4 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jeremy Corbyn's new left-wing party gets off to flying start with confusion over what it's even called as co-leader asks people to join 'Your Party'
The launch of Jeremy Corbyn 's new political party descended into farce today as his putative co-leader denied they had even chosen a new name for it. Zarah Sultana, the former Labour MP who quit to link up with the septuagenarian leftwinger, today invited people to join them using a link sending them to a website called 'Your Party'. The website claims it is time for 'a new kind of political party - one that belongs to you.' However there was confusing over what it was even called, following the announcement. After it was picked up by media Ms Sultana, 31, was forced to take to social media to say 'Your Party' was not its name. However Mr Corbyn's team told reporters it was an interim working title but will not be that which is registered with the Electoral Commission. Her former Labour colleague Mike Tapp responded to her message with just a laughter emoji. An inaugural conference will take place for members to 'decide the party's direction, the model of leadership and the policies that are needed to transform society.' As they gear up to form and potentially head a new socialist body some 18 per cent of Britons say they could back it. Earlier this month Mr Corbyn, 76, said there was a 'thirst' among voters 'for an alternative view to be put' forward. And one of his allies, Zarah Sultana, quit Labour saying she would co-leader a new party with him. A poll by YouGov shows that more than half of people who voted Green in the general election last year would consider backing a new Corbyn party. And in a sign of discontent with Labour under Sir Keir Starmer, almost a third (30 per cent) of those who backed the party last year would now think about backing his predecessor.