The Spectator is looking for a political cartoonist

Here’s your chance to have your illustrations featured in The Spectator. 

We’re looking for fresh, funny, and original work. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this is your opportunity to submit your work, as we invite new cartoonists to join our ranks.

Picture the cover of The Spectator. What would you put on it? Picture an article you have read recently in the magazine. How would you illustrate it? 

If you are a terrific caricaturist, fantastic storyteller and wit who doesn’t take anything too seriously, please throw your hat in the ring. Submit your best cartoons and join the legendary illustrators who have graced the pages of The Spectator.  All we ask is that you try to make readers laugh. Cartooning is a noble profession; fame, bragging rights and a place in the magazine all await. The winner will also receive £500. 

What does it take to be a good cartoonist? Here’s Michael Heath, who has been the Spectator’s cartoon editor for 33 years. He will be co-judging the competition and has some words of advice:

Do you even need to be able to draw? Well not as well as Tracey Emin, or Leonardo da Vinci, but you should be able to put pen to paper. Now to the hard part. What should your cartoon be about? Well, you’re never going to think of a good idea if you keep on looking at your phone. Put it down. Yes, I know you’re now panicking because you haven’t got a screen in front of you. But take a deep breath. Relax. You are going to be inventive. Your ideas might be terrible at first, and it sure isn’t going to be easy, especially when you realise that you can’t think of a single funny thing to draw. But keep going. You’ll feel a sense of relief. You may also have discovered that you can draw. But then again, maybe you won’t have. At least it will have taken you away from your computer for a while. I want to see funny, spiky cartoons that make me laugh. Now I’ve taught you all I know, you are on your own. Do not fear rejection because, as you know, if the cartoon editor doesn’t like your cartoon it is because he is a schmuck, not you.

So there you have it.

We’ll do some of the hard work and provide three themes. To enter, please choose at least one of the following themes and produce a cartoon in full colour. 

1. A special relationship: Donald Trump wins in November. How will Keir Starmer handle relations with the new US president? 
2. Refuseniks: why Gen Z doesn’t want to join the army.
3. Starlink: Meloni and Musk – how these new power players took on the world. 

Please submit your entry by email to cartooncomp@spectator.co.uk by Monday 21 October. Submitted artwork should be scanned at 300dpi. Our cover size is 276mmx210mm. Alternatively, postal entries can be sent to 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP but will not be returned.