Larry the cat has been residing at the British Prime Minister’s official residence at 10 Downing Street since February 15, 2011. The animal was brought from a shelter, making him the first official chief mouser of the residence.
Each day, Larry greets delegations, monitors the security system, and tests historic furniture for sleeping purposes. His job includes dealing with rodents inside the building. As stated on the website, this matter is currently in the phase of tactical planning.
A verified account, Larry the Cat, operates on a popular microblogging platform with 885,000 followers, posting political commentary. It is followed by foreign diplomatic agencies, officials, and public institutions.
During Larry’s time at 10 Downing Street, six prime ministers have completed their terms: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Keir Starmer. According to Ipsos data from the July 4, 2024, election, 44% of Britons supported Larry—more than Starmer (34%), Johnson (29%), and Sunak (22%).
Humorous reactions to the departures of prime ministers:
On Keir Starmer’s resignation and Andy Burnham’s potential arrival: “Whether Starmer leaves or not doesn’t matter: what matters is my regular dinner.” “Getting ready for the seventh PM. I’ll stop learning names if this trend continues.” “Accepted Starmer’s resignation as the chief servant and confirmed the feeding schedule with Burnham.”
On Rishi Sunak’s departure in 2024: “The people have spoken, generously seasoning their speech with epithets for the Tories.” “Looking for a locksmith: need to securely lock the door behind the former residents…”
On Liz Truss’s resignation in 2022: “Police are investigating who left a specific surprise in Liz Truss’s shoes…” “Rishi Sunak will lead the cabinet. The family’s wealth guarantees me a menu with caviar and lobster.”
On Boris Johnson’s departure: “Personally verified his exit: the fact is confirmed.” “Politicians change. Only I remain constant.”
On Theresa May’s term ending and Johnson’s arrival: “A collective farewell card for Theresa—who will join?” “The first cat in history concerned about human hair on furniture…”
On David Cameron’s resignation: “The noise around the change of my keyholder has gained momentum!” “Since Dave is gone—who’s in charge here for the next couple of hours?”
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