Still watching premiers come and go
LARRY the cat, official title Chief Mouser, has been overseeing the work of Britain’s leaders for more than a decade.
In that time he has “seen off” three leaders and is preparing to welcome a fourth (Liz Truss) who replaces Boris Johnson.
“Like all prime ministers, he’s (Johnson) only a temporary resident of Downing Street,” as the British refer to the seat of government. “I live here permanently. When he finally goes, I stay,” Larry says, at least according to an unofficial Twitter account run on his behalf.
The tabby has given Britons a measure of stability amid the political turmoil that has raged since he was brought to Westminster from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011 by then prime minister David Cameron.
“Gifts and treats” for him have been reaching Downing Street on a daily basis ever since.
That is partly thanks to his feline habit of stealing the show, standing in front of the Downing Street door, which is often surrounded by photographers and camera crew waiting for politicians to emerge.
He lets the police officers guarding the building open the door for him, chases pigeons and lazes on a window sill in the sun, in what is often a welcome distraction from political pronouncements.
Larry is more than just a popular pet, with the Twitter account run in his name drawing nearly 650,000 followers.
That gives the @Number10cat account a wider reach than either of the two contenders who were vying to replace Johnson at the time, namely former Foreign Secretary Liz Truss or former chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak.
Meanwhile no one knows who runs the account but its success comes as no surprise, said the person behind Larry.
“Dogs might be man’s best friend, but cats run the Internet so I’m not surprised by the popularity of Larry’s account. It turns out that cat pictures and politics is a compelling mix!”
Posts on the account tend to be critical of the leadership or provide a humorous take on the issues of the day, matching prime ministerial statements with pictures of Larry or cat memes.
The account suggests that Larry is no real fan of the prime ministers he shares the building with.
“Larry has lived with three Prime Ministers and all have had their faults, but Boris Johnson was always destined to fail in this role due to his character flaws,” the account holder said.
Nor is the future necessarily brighter.
“Cats will always be naturally cynical and critical but equally they’ll be supportive if they like what they see. Unfortunately it seems Johnson’s replacement is unlikely to be an improvement, but statistically we’re due a good leader at some stage!” the account holder says.
Truss, meanwhile, had tried to ingratiate herself with the cat. “I’m one of his preferred Cabinet Ministers,” she told a campaign event recently, before she became the new PM.
“One of the many reasons I want to be prime minister is I want to build on that friendship.”
Larry, 15, still appears to be in good shape so could potentially see a further leader, as a general election is due within two years.
Leader of the opposition Keir Starmer of the Labour Party had good chances, according to Larry’s Twitter account holder, who added that doesn’t necessarily mean the cat will be a fan.
But if Larry dies, the Twitter account would go too.
For now, there is plenty of work for him at No.10, with the building plagued by mice as are many houses in London. Given the scale of the problem, many more cats might be needed.
A reference to the Chief Mouser on a government website shows officials have an eye on the situation.
“His day-to-day responsibilities also include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house. Larry says this is still ‘in tactical planning stage’.” – dpa