The year 2025 provided a rich tapestry of news for Britain's sharpest satirical minds, and few captured its essence with as much inimitable wit as the beloved cartoonist, Mac. No story, whether a colossal political row or a curious cultural shift, escaped his signature tongue-in-cheek humour. His pen deftly illustrated the year's defining moments, from Westminster controversies to societal trends, leaving a lasting and humorous record of a remarkably eventful period.
Political Punchlines: Starmer, Prisons and Tax Raids
Mac's lens was firmly fixed on the political arena, where drama was in ample supply. In February, his cartoon captured the essence of Sir Keir Starmer's controversial agreement regarding the Chagos Islands. The imagined scene, likely featuring a bewildered official, was perfectly summed up by the caption: 'I know! Let's give £18 billion to Mauritius'. This succinctly highlighted the staggering financial and diplomatic scale of the deal that dominated headlines.
By May, the government's policy of releasing thousands of criminals early from jail to ease overcrowding became fodder for Mac's wit. He depicted the surreal domesticity of the situation with a character gleefully announcing, 'Wonderful news sweetheart - you're being released early!'. This cartoon cut to the heart of public concern over the policy's implications.
The Autumn statement brought Chancellor Rachel Reeves's major tax adjustments, dubbed a 'tax raid' by critics. Mac's November cartoon saw him comment on her presentation style. The caption, 'You're right, Rachel, It does show honesty and integrity. But I think you should stick to the traditional despatch box on Wednesday', offered a playful critique amidst the serious fiscal debate.
Culture and Society in the Crosshairs
Beyond the corridors of power, Mac turned his eye to the stories shaping British society. The surge in popularity of weight-loss jabs, such as Mounjaro, did not go unnoticed. His August cartoon on the topic, featuring the line 'Apparently half the UK is hooked on something called Mounjaro jabs', humorously exaggerated the trend to underline its widespread cultural penetration.
Even the honours system received a characteristically British ribbing. When football icon David Beckham finally received his knighthood, Mac imagined the sartorial advice being offered for the big day: 'Very nice, David. But I suggest blue pinstripe and I expect the King will have his own sword'. This June sketch perfectly blended the grandeur of the palace with mundane, fussy detail.
The Legacy of a Year in Headlines
Mac's work in 2025 served as more than just comedy; it was a pointed, accessible chronicle of national life. His ability to distil complex political stories into a single, powerful image, while also finding humour in broader social phenomena, cemented his role as a vital observer. The year's events, from high-stakes diplomacy to dietary fads, were all filtered through his unique perspective, providing both laughter and reflection for readers. As one final joke from August showed—depicting an endless prison canteen order with 'Certainly, Sir. I'll tell the chef. That's 36 fish and chips, 23 hamburgers, no onions...'—his satire often highlighted the absurd bureaucracy underpinning major news stories.
Through these six standout cartoons, Mac proved that in a tumultuous news cycle, a sharp wit and a well-drawn line remain indispensable tools for making sense of it all.
