Cartoons

The first is entitled 'Quick Joe' and concerns the Leader of the GSLP in Gibraltar Mr Joe Bossano. A long serving and well known figure who during the recent to and fro'ing over the gold ship HMS Sussex suggested that Gibraltar should extend it's boundaries to 12 miles to encompass HMS Sussex thereby ceasing any Spanish claim over the lost ship or its bullion. The cartoon ran in Feb 2006.

Unfortunately the British Government through the Governor Sir Francis Richards decided that the current 3 mile limit was sufficient. This cartoon was in fact unpublished at the time in Feb 2006 but I think if politicians could really do what they wanted and ignore the feelings of others including neighbouring countries Joe Bossano would have definitely tried something like this.

Of course political comment is not everything and sometimes the foolishness of the criminal needs to be seen to be believed. The following was also unpublished from March 2006. Several men robbed a shop in Referendum House a block of flats on an estate. These would be high flyers proceeded to run upstairs after the robbery, yes in the same block of flats and hide inside one of the flats. Needless to say it wasn't difficult for the police to find them after sealing off the area and arriving literally mob handed for a flat to flat search or did they get a tip off?

Another recent cartoon was in response to the announcement that Disney cruises had decided to add Gibraltar as one of their port of calls. Whether this would upset the sensitivities of those in Disney I don't know but this too was unpublished. A simple gag cartoon that I don't think could offend anyone mind you perhaps it is too tame?


This cartoon was published on the 18 April 2006. Last week a Barbary Macaque in captivity was born in Spain. Widely reported it was the first new ape born this year, before any Gibraltar apes did their thing. The term Barbary Macaque is the correct name of the Gibraltar Apes.

There has been a lot of talk recently of heritage and the destruction of Rosia Tanks particularly. It is not up to me to takes sides in the debate but this cartoon published 27 Feb 06 has the Chief Minister Peter Caruana on his theme of urban renewal. I can't take all the credit for this as the theme was suggested to me.

On the 18 Feb 06 this cartoon responded to the Governments announcement that there was nothing to fear from Bird Flu. What amazes me is that even yesterday (18 Apr) I was sat in Casemates square watching the pigeon catcher trying to catch the pigeons that live and transit through Gibraltar. Culling all the pigeons seems a little harsh when the seagulls are left and there is absolutely no way it will end until every pigeon on the planet likely to fly this way has been dealt with? Talk about jobs for life, nice one if you can stomach twisting pigeon's necks.

Of course sometimes I draw for other reasons. This one was for a local cartoon competition and hinges on the fact that British Government promise not to use Gibraltar for it's nuclear sub fleet. At least not without letting the Spanish know first.

Recently the question was asked what use or role should the Governor play in a country like Gibraltar that isn't a colony but a British Dependant Territory with it's own Government. Sir Francis Richard's in his final year as Governor has been very positive for Gibraltar and compared to some previous encumbents he is very pro-Gibraltarian. The question still remains and I have my own idea's as you can see. This was unpublished.

A recent article covered the lack of convictions by jury ibn Gibraltar for those born here. As a foreigner you are more likely to be convicted apparently. Not because of any anti foreign policy just because everyone knows each other here and the jury won't convict people they know, quite natural really. Unpublished.

This cartoon covers both the culling here in Gibraltar coupled with recent problems in UK about postcode lotteries as far as getting the right treatment for illness is concerned. Unpublished.

Published in March 2006 this for me summed up the Leader of the Opposition's attempt to turn any newsworthy piece into political gain and hope the referendum is seen more as an election marker rather than a simple referendum. I felt Dad's Army was an appropriate title here.

Another unpublished. This one shows the current CBF Cdre Alan Adair with General Sir Mike Jackson on to a visit. An odd visit, I never understood the value of them except for political gain. The troops really hate them as it entails more work for a handshake and the rare occasion that one of the visitors actually seems to be interested is far outweighed by the ones that are there for other reasons and the effort. There has to be a mathematical formula that relates the ratio from work/effort to good manners and I'll bet the two are exponentially opposed. Still I wonder what the chances are of him becoming the next Governor are? As at today 23 Apr 2006 no announcement made but rumours are strong the next one will be a military man.

This was inspired by the visit of a Lord of the Realm on a quick nip to his holiday home in Spain. As he came through Gibraltar a slight altercation occurred with the border police as to his duty free allowance resulting in a possible trial sometime this year.

I am never surprised by a politicians willingness to take up any baton that may or may not get them noticed. Love or hate Joe Bossano he's getting stuck in there and recently has had more headlines than the Chief Minister. This cartoon came about because some of the comments about the tripartite talks and dealings with the Spanish are a little too way out to be possible. Or are they?

This happened only yesterday... allegedly. Some 800+ kilos of cannabis discovered in a joint operation by the RGP. Nice one boys. Unpublished but I always live in hope.
I apologise for the amount of words in this but they are necessary. I often hear about how the 'parity' that some employees have in Gibraltar is not total parity, in fact they are all 'cherry picked' so the best ones happen but the worst like.. performance related bonus' and productivity deals etc etc are casually forgotten. Oh please.. performance related pay.... imagine what the Chronicle who have to pay if it was down to the ideas and not just the published end product.
The one above I drew during the Gibraltar Heritage Trust competition in May 2006. I had a little time after finishing a small painting. Recent requests by the Moroccan community for a vote were turned down by the Chief Minister, hence the joke. Many people liked it but it didn't get published although the Chronicle printed it as part of the 'competition' article.