The United Kingdom is set to witness a shift in power from the Conservatives to the Labour Party after 14 years, following the Thursday polls. However, the true ruler of 10 Downing Street remains — Larry the Cat. The ageing tabby, who has seen five Conservative prime ministers, is now poised to welcome the sixth PM under his watch, Keir Starmer, who won a resounding mandate on Friday.
Larry was recruited by Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011 to deal with a mouse problem and was even given the official title of “Chief Mouser.” Although his performance in catching mice has been lackluster, Larry has become a symbol of stability amid the political turmoil of the past 14 years in UK politics.
Larry’s steadfastness is partly due to his fiercely protective nature. He has had several “heated exchanges” with Rishi Sunak’s fox-red Labrador retriever, Nova, according to Sunak’s wife, Akshata Murty. Larry also frequently clashed with his counterpart at the foreign ministry, Palmerston, until Palmerston retired to the countryside, leaving Larry victorious.
Labour leader Starmer has a cat named Jojo and a hamster named Bear, but it remains to be seen if either will move to Downing Street. Larry, however, is unlikely to be troubled by the newcomers.
As polls opened on July 4, Larry posted on his social media account, @Number10cat: “I don’t get to vote in this election, but I do have to live with whoever you elect. No pressure.”
Despite rumours of a strained relationship with his recruiter, Cameron, Larry is known to be friendly with journalists. BBC journalist Helen Catt remarked that Larry often approaches the press to see what they’re up to, while photographer Justin Ng noted Larry’s growing comfort with the media.
Ng added, “He has started to understand that we want him to pose for a photograph, and then he may even do an over-the-shoulder like a movie star might do.”
In an interview celebrating his 10th anniversary at Downing Street, Larry revealed the secret to his longevity: “The key thing to remember is that I live here permanently; the politicians just lodge with me for a bit until they’re fired. They all work out sooner or later that it’s me that runs the place.”