Larry the cat, who resides in 10 Downing Street, has outlasted the past three prime ministers of the United Kingdom: Boris Johnson, Theresa May, and David Cameron.
Fact Check
Being the first cat of the United Kingdom is not an easy job, especially when you have to deal with a revolving door of prime ministers. In July 2022, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation as Conservative Party leader – and eventually as prime minister – after a series of scandals, and a collapse in support from his government ministers.
While Johnson announced he would stay on until a replacement was selected, someone else will have a longer tenure than him:
Larry the cat has been in residence at 10 Downing Street since Feb. 15, 2011, according to the British government’s official page, and was the first cat to hold the title of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. He was adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. According to the official government website, he has many roles:
He has captured the hearts of the Great British public and the press teams often camped outside the front door. In turn the nation sends him gifts and treats daily.
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 tactical planning stage’.
Larry has also outlasted three prime ministers, assuming he will still be present at 10 Downing Street after Johnson leaves his role. He arrived toward the early part of David Cameron’s tenure from 2010 to 2016, was a part of the household through Theresa May’s time from 2016 to 2019, and is expected to outlast Johnson’s tenure in the office.
Cameron was believed to have a chilly relationship with Larry, and he posted a picture of the cat in his lap in an effort to dispel such rumors. May also hinted that she was more of a dog person.
While a timetable for Johnson’s replacement had yet to be confirmed as of this writing, it took several weeks before he took over from his predecessor May. Larry himself has not commented on the upcoming changes.
Meanwhile, Larry is expected to be waiting in 10 Downing Street and will likely be unimpressed with whoever is the new occupant.
Sources:
“Did Madame Tussauds Put Boris Johnson Figure Outside Unemployment Office?” Snopes.Com, https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/boris-johnson-tussauds-wax/. Accessed 11 July 2022.
“History of 10 Downing Street.” GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/history/10-downing-street#larry-chief-mouser. Accessed 11 July 2022.
Guy, Jack and Luke McGee, Ivana Kottasová. “UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson Resigns after Mutiny in His Party.” CNN, 7 July 2022, https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/07/europe/boris-johnson-resignation-intl/index.html. Accessed 11 July 2022.
“In Video: Larry The Cat Unimpressed With Japanese Visitors At Downing Street.” HuffPost UK, 8 Feb. 2018, https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2018/02/08/in-video-larry-the-cat-unimpressed-with-japanese-visitors-at-downing-street_n_19191070.html. Accessed 11 July 2022.
“Past Prime Ministers.” GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/history/past-prime-ministers. Accessed 11 July 2022.
Syal, Rajeev. “How Will a New Tory Leader Be Chosen?” The Guardian, 7 July 2022. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/07/how-will-a-new-tory-leader-be-chosen-prime-minister-boris-johnson. Accessed 11 July 2022.
“The New PM’s First Job: Impress the Cat.” BBC News, 24 July 2019. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49049852. Accessed 11 July 2022.
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