Keir Starmer has resigned, but Larry the Cat remains at his post. The nineteen-year-old "Chief Mouser" of Downing Street has now outlasted his seventh prime minister.
A brown-and-white tabby named Larry arrived at Downing Street on February 11, 2011, from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Since then, he has officially held the title of Chief Mouser, roaming freely through the residence where British leaders have lived since 1735.
Over the years, Larry has seen off David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and now Keir Starmer. The political revolving door of the last decade has failed to budge the sole permanent resident of Number 10.
His duties include greeting guests, overseeing security, and, as the government website quips, "testing antique furniture for napping quality." The rodent situation is more complex; a long-term solution is reportedly still in the "tactical planning" stage.
Before his move to the residence, Larry was a stray with no microchip until he was rescued by the shelter. Today, he has become a true British political icon.
Fans track his activities on social media, where the unofficial @Number10cat account on X has amassed over 800,000 followers. Larry is often filmed during major events and has been photographed with high-profile visitors, including Donald and Melania Trump.
The Downing Street staff look after Larry, ensuring he is fed and receives veterinary care. The government emphasizes that the cat's maintenance is not funded by taxpayers.
Cats have been kept in government buildings since the 1880s, primarily to handle pest control. Larry has become the most famous of these feline officials in history.
In an era of frequent leadership changes and political turbulence, Larry represents a rare sense of stability. He simply carries on with his life, indifferent to elections and resignations.
While politicians come and go, Larry continues to inspect the corridors and test the sofas—serving, perhaps, as the most reliable constant in British politics today.
