| Level | Piece |
| Ref No | LDG/1/1/31 |
| Title | The Rhodesia Splits |
| Date | [1971] |
| Extent | 1 cartoon |
| Creator Name | Gibbard; Leslie David (1945-2010); cartoonist |
| Description | The cartoon shows Prime Minister Edward Heath attempting to jump over a gymnastics vault with the face of Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith on it. Harold Wilson watches smugly from the corner smoking a pipe. A caption over Heath reads "rrrrippp" suggesting that his trousers have ripped. In the background a horrified woman watches on, she is wearing a ribbon with the word "ted" written on it.
The cartoon probably refers to splits within the Conservative party over the Rhodesia quetion in 1971. At this time support for economic sanctions against Rhodesia was dropping amongst Conservative MPs. As a result Heath felt pressured to reenter into negotiations with Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith, even though he held deep concerns about Smith's trustworthiness. |
| Access Status | Open |
| Format | Drawing |
Show related Persons records.