The world might have seen a number of British PMs come and go. But, one long-standing resident of 10 Downing Road has refused to budge for years. Larry the Cat, holding the official title of ‘Chief Mouser to the Cupboard Workplace,’ has been a relentless presence since 2011, outlasting a number of prime ministers and political upheavals.
Who’s Larry the Cat?
Born as a stray in 2007, Larry was adopted from London’s Battersea Canine and Cats Dwelling in 2011 throughout David Cameron’s tenure, in response to Firstpost. Whereas initially introduced in as a household pet, he shortly acquired his official authorities place. In response to the UK authorities web site, his duties embody “greeting friends to the home, inspecting safety defences and testing vintage furnishings for napping high quality.”
What makes Larry stand out is his standing as a civil servant somewhat than a private pet. As David Cameron defined throughout his last Prime Minister’s Questions in 2016, this is the reason Larry stays at Downing Road no matter who occupies the workplace, studies Firstpost. Larry’s unofficial account succinctly put it in 2022, “I dwell right here completely, politicians are momentary residents”.
A political survivor
Now 18 years outdated as of January 2025, Larry has served underneath six prime ministers: David Cameron, Theresa Could, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss (for her transient 45-day tenure), Rishi Sunak, and presently Keir Starmer, who took workplace in Could 2024. Starmer represents Larry’s first Labour Prime Minister, as his earlier 5 bosses had been all Conservative.
Larry’s diplomatic relationships have different. He reportedly favoured former US President Barack Obama however was much less welcoming to Donald Trump. Throughout Trump’s 2019 UK go to, Firstpost states that Larry famously positioned himself underneath the president’s armoured Cadillac, stopping Trump’s departure after assembly with Theresa Could.
Larry’s efficiency and recognition
His efficiency in mouse management has acquired combined opinions. The Every day Telegraph reported early in his tenure that Larry displayed “a definite lack of killer intuition”. Nonetheless, he has demonstrated territorial prowess, notably in his well-known rivalry with Palmerston, the Overseas Workplace cat.
Larry has developed a eager sense for media alternatives. Sky Information studies that “he is aware of precisely the place the TV cameras are and the place to place himself” to seem in broadcasts throughout main political occasions. His photobombing expertise and occasional mischief have endeared him to the British public.
His reputation extends far past Downing Road. Through the political turmoil of 2022, Tellyspotting studies {that a} viral tweet from an unofficial account proclaimed: “The King has requested me to grow to be Prime Minister as a result of this nonsense has gone on lengthy sufficient.” This sparked a “#Larry4Leader marketing campaign” selling platform planks together with a “accountable hiss-cal coverage” and “no mendacity in No 10 until it’s on a snug cushion.”
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In a time of political uncertainty, Larry represents continuity on the coronary heart of the British authorities. His longevity after outlasting a number of prime ministers, together with three in simply 45 days, affords a glimpse into the tumultuous nature of politics. Whereas human leaders come and go, Larry’s presence reminds us that some establishments endure no matter electoral outcomes.