Larry the cat has made history as Downing Street’s first Chief Mouser to serve under six prime ministers following Sir Keir Starmer’s recent general election victory. The black-and-white tabby, who arrived from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in February 2011, has become a familiar presence at No. 10.
With Starmer’s decisive win last week, Larry now surpasses all previous feline occupants in longevity, having served during the tenures of Lord Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak. At 17 years old, Larry has a chance to break the record for the longest-serving mouser, currently held by Peter III, who served from 1947 to 1964 under five prime ministers.
Larry, whose official title is Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, enjoys considerable popularity among the public. An Ipsos poll revealed that 44% of respondents view Larry favorably, in stark contrast to only 34% for Sir Keir and just 22% for Rishi Sunak at the end of his premiership.
Throughout his tenure, Larry has delivered memorable moments, including a call for his resignation in 2011 after being spotted sleeping during a press conference. However, the then-prime minister’s spokesman defended him, stating that Larry “brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people.”
Notably, Larry met former U.S. President Barack Obama shortly after taking office, and he has had his share of skirmishes with Palmerston, the Foreign Office mouser. Their rivalry led to Larry receiving veterinary care after a confrontation in July 2016.
Looking to the future, Sir Keir Starmer has hinted at introducing a dog to Downing Street to help acclimate his children to life in the residence. The Starmer family already owns a rescue cat named Jojo, who may be less than thrilled about the impending move.
Former Prime Minister Liz Truss previously noted a “fleas” issue during her short tenure, dismissing claims about her dog, Dilyn, as unproven. As Larry continues his watch over Downing Street, his unique charm endures amid the political changes around him.
