Ella Bucknall tackles the “boy’s club” of political cartooning in her new zine, Whip

Whip is a new zine that features a collection of political cartoons illustrated entirely by women. By exploring a range of topical issues, along with the recent general election results, Whip is set to fill the notable gaps in female political media. 

Having launched the first issue at the beginning of June, Whip represents a place for those looking to release, indulge or perhaps cry a little about today’s political climate. “As it stands, the world of political cartooning is just one all boys club scoffing at another all boys club,” explained Ella Bucknall, founder and editor of Whip, when we asked about the reasons behind the new publication. “It is vital that women have a share in every political conversation because so much political action directly and often negatively affects us a group, especially at the moment while Trump and potentially the DUP have power and influence.”

There is an exhaustingly limited selection of female political satirists in the mainstream media, not because women lack humour, intelligence or constitutional awareness, but because society marginalises women in the political sphere. That’s why Whip now stands as a highly relevant and diplomatically engaging outlet, and one where all voices can be heard. “[It’s] important that we, as women, continue cartooning so that we can bring women’s issues to the fore, as they are ignored or mishandled by the government,” Ella explains. “Equally, it is necessary that women critique Theresa May too so that it doesn’t become a ‘burn the witch’ situation but she is still properly called out. Though I’m sure she probably considers cartooning one of the ‘boy jobs’ anyway.”

“Although politics is currently so precarious and it can be easy to feel impotent, I am so proud of the amount of young people and women who turned out to vote (and voted for hope),” Ella continues. Striving to continue with the publication and evolve progressively alongside politics, Whip and its forms of artistic expression are vital for releasing anger post-election. “All there is to do is remain hopeful and keep attending protests, marches and keep producing and sharing art, articles, and hashtags to make ourselves heard.”

Filled with wit, charm and anarchist arousal, the pages of Whip are decorated with an abundance of “foxy gentlemen” and a cut-out dress-up paper doll of Theresa May – paper bag included.