Will Larry the Cat stay at Number 10? How old is he? Who looks ...

Virgin Radio

5 Jul 2024, 09:49

The real star of Number 10 Downing Street, Larry The Cat, officially has a new Prime Minister to watch over as Chief Mouser, but will there be a changeover of felines now the general election is over?

The domestic tabby has been a staple of the steps of Downing Street for a number of years, providing often much-needed light-relief at the coalface of UK politics. 

With Labour securing a majority of more than 170 (head over to Times Radio for more general election analysis), there’s now a question mark over the future of Larry and what he’ll do next, but no fear, virginradio.co.uk has answered all the burning political questions you have about the nation’s favourite furry friend. 

Larry was born in 2007, making him an elderly 17 years old, but that doesn’t stop him from living his best life in Downing Street. 

Originally a stray kitten, he was rescued by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and was then adopted by Downing Street as a pet for the family of former PM David Cameron in 2011. The publicity around him caused a 15 percent upsurge in people adopting a furry friend. His official title is Chief Mouser, and he took over the role from Sybil, who was CM from 2007 to 2009. 

After David Cameron stood down following the Brexit vote in 2016, Larry stuck around as he’s technically known as a civil servant and not the personal property of Cameron or his family, and therefore wouldn’t be leaving once his successor, Theresa May, arrived. 

As described by the government, Larry “spends his days greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality. 

“His day-to-day responsibilities also include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house. Larry says this is still ‘in the tactical planning stage’."

As we’ve mentioned, Larry technically comes under the umbrella of a civil servant, which also means it’s not the PM who pops down the bowl of kibble or takes out the litter. 

Unlike his previous mousers, Larry’s costs are paid for voluntarily by members of Downing Street staff, with fundraising events used to buy his food and care. He’s also looked after by members of the Downing Street team. 

Luckily for all of us who have loved seeing Larry potter about the steps of Downing Street for the last 13 years, it looks like the adorable mouser isn’t going anywhere. 

During his final Prime Minister’s Questions in 2016, outgoing PM Cameron was quizzed about Larry’s future, and confirmed that as Larry is a civil servant, he would indeed be staying after any change of premiership. 

That means that Larry has seen his fair share of Prime Ministers and heads of state wandering around his home over the years…

Since Cameron’s departure, Larry has carried out his important duties under subsequent Conservative Prime Ministers, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak. He’ll soon add Sir Keir Starmer to the list, meaning Larry will have lived with six PMs over his lifetime.

It’s not just Prime Ministers that Larry purred at over the years, as he’s no doubt demanded treats from two US presidents, Donald Trump and Barack Obama.