After 14 years of Tory control, a lot is set to change at Downing Street. But it’s not just the politicians that are making headlines on election day.
Sir Keir Starmer will take over No10 from Rishi Sunak out, so it's out with the old and in with the new. However, what will become of Larry the Cat, its most well-known resident?
Here’s a quick introduction if you aren’t aware of this famous feline.
Who is Larry the Cat?
Larry is a 17-year-old cat, born in January 2007.In 2011, Larry, a stray who was eventually taken in by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, moved in with then-prime minister David Cameron and his children at No10.
And Larry stayed behind, even as the Camerons bid adieu to Downing Street. Since then, he has resided there, spending his days in the home that Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Sunak were occupying.
Who owns Larry the cat?
While having coexisted with all five prime ministers, he has never truly been owned by any of them. Rather, Downing Street workers look after him and provide voluntary funding for his lifestyle.
As absurd as it may sound, No10 is where Downing Street claims Larry works.
"Welcoming guests to the house, examining security defences, and testing antique furniture for napping quality" are all included in his duties.However, things also become a little more serious for Larry, since he is now formally employed by the Cabinet Office as chief mouser. Larry was given this back in April 2011 for his first kill, which was a poor rodent in the No10 hallways.
He has also had his fair share of encounters with international dignitaries; on one occasion, he chose to hang out in front of Donald Trump's £1.2m armoured Cadillac. Furthermore, in 2011, Lord Cameron disclosed to the BBC that, strangely enough, Larry had a soft spot for Barack Obama. Obama gave him a stroke, but then didn't bother him at all.
What happens to Larry the Cat now there’s a new PM?
"I hope you're good at cleaning up messes..." pic.twitter.com/BpOY7okHGY
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) July 5, 2024
Despite the residency of No10 changing hands, Larry the Cat will remain at Downing Street and will welcome Sir Keir Starmer as the UK’s next prime minister.
Larry will join the Starmer family as they prepare to move into No10, along with Sir Keir, his wife Vic Starmer, and their two teenage daughters.
The family also have a cat of their own called Jojo, so it will be interesting to see if the pair get along.
You can follow Larry directly on site X, which was once Twitter, where he provides his viewpoints and a wealth of insights into the UK government.
