Larry the Cat has once again demonstrated he’s the most stable figure in British public life. With Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation, Larry has now officially survived six UK prime ministers, cementing his position as the true long‑term resident of No. 10 Downing Street.
Larry arrived at No. 10 in 2011, adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to deal with a rodent problem. Since then, he has calmly watched the political circus unfold around him while maintaining his post as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.
Larry has served under:
- David Cameron (2010–2016)
- Theresa May (2016–2019)
- Boris Johnson (2019–2022)
- Liz Truss (2022)
- Rishi Sunak (2022–2024)
- Keir Starmer (2024–2026)
That’s more leaders than most civil servants ever see — and Larry isn’t retiring any time soon.
While governments collapse, parties implode, and leaders resign at record speed, Larry remains a fixture in official photos, a favourite of the public, a running joke about who actually runs Downing Street, and a 19‑year‑old survivor with an international fanbase.
He’s even had diplomatic moments — welcoming Barack Obama, staring down Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and famously chasing off a fox.
Six Prime Ministers, nine lives — and Larry is still in charge. Downing Street may change hands again soon, but the Chief Mouser stays put.
Larry the Cat is a cultural icon because he sits at the crossroads of politics, media, national humour, and genuine public affection — and he’s done it for more than a decade; he’s not just a cat; he’s a fixture of modern British political life.
Larry was a stray from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home before being chosen for Downing Street. His adoption story — from Wandsworth streets to the heart of government — gives him a mythical, fairy‑tale quality that the public loves.
From the moment he arrived, the media latched onto him. photos, videos, and even scratch‑related anecdotes made him a global sensation within hours. Multiple parody Twitter accounts sprang up, and gifts poured into No. 10.
In a period of rapid leadership turnover, Larry symbolises continuity. Scholars have even noted that his “approval ratings” would beat most Prime Ministers, because he represents reliability and calm in tumultuous times.
Larry has a talent for upstaging world leaders, strolling into photo ops, blocking motorcades, charming Barack Obama, making Zelenskyy smile, and snoozing under Donald Trump’s armoured car. These moments humanise politics and entertain the public.
Larry’s official duties include “greeting guests, inspecting security defences, and testing antique furniture for napping quality.” This tongue‑in‑cheek description from the government itself helped cement his comedic, beloved persona.
Larry’s fame boosted cat adoptions at Battersea by 15 per cent, and he remains a mascot for rescue animals and animal welfare conversations. He also trends on social media during major political events, acting as a bridge between the public and Westminster.
Larry has had so many iconic moments that he’s essentially the main symbol of Westminster. These are the ones that turned him from “the Downing Street cat” into a national institution.
When Barack Obama visited in 2011, Larry refused to move from his sunspot on the doorstep. Staff had to step around him while the world’s media watched. It immediately cemented his “I run this place” reputation.
Larry famously chased a fox off Downing Street in 2020. The fox looked terrified; Larry looked bored. It became one of the most‑shared political clips of the year.
During Donald Trump’s 2019 visit, Larry lay under the presidential car (“The Beast”) and refused to move. Staff had to delay the motorcade. Larry remained asleep.
The Cabinet Office Turf War — His rivalry with Palmerston, the Foreign Office cat, became a full‑blown media saga. There were images of them fighting, staring each other down, and even “peace talks” announced on Twitter.
When Liz Truss resigned after 49 days, Larry’s parody accounts quipped that he’d “outlasted another one” and that he was “the only stable leadership option left”.
When Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited in 2023, Larry strolled over and charmed him. The picture went viral worldwide.
Larry regularly photobombs Prime Ministers, foreign dignitaries, and journalists. One of the most notable moments was his refusal to come inside during a rainstorm, forcing staff to coax him in while cameras rolled.
When a journalist asked if Larry would move out after a change of PM, Downing Street clarified: “Larry is a civil servant. He stays.” That line became legendary.
Larry isn’t just adorable — he’s a symbol of continuity in a political era defined by chaos. His capers cut through the noise, humanise the news, and give the public something to smile about even during grim political cycles.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 