Larry the cat, the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, has been a constant figure in Downing Street since 2011, outlasting six prime ministers. Now, incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham may bring his family dog Axel, a Bichon-Poo rescue, potentially sparking a turf war with the veteran feline.
Larry's Role and Longevity
According to the official Downing Street website, Larry's duties include "greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality." He has captured the hearts of the public and press, receiving daily gifts and treats. His upkeep is funded voluntarily by staff, costing taxpayers nothing. Born in 2007, Larry was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011. He has served under David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, and Keir Starmer.
Feuds and Famous Encounters
Larry has had notable feuds, including a fierce rivalry with Foreign Office cat Palmerston, who died in Bermuda earlier this year. In 2016, they were spotted brawling outside No10, leaving Palmerston with missing hair and Larry with a sore paw. He also had spats with Rishi Sunak's puppy Nova. However, he bonded with former Chancellor George Osborne's cat Freya. Larry has met world leaders like Volodymyr Zelenskyy and once darted behind Donald Trump's armoured Cadillac in 2019, causing delays. David Cameron noted that Larry liked Barack Obama, who gave him a stroke.
Axel's Arrival and Advice
Andy Burnham, a known dog lover, may bring Axel, a Bichon Frise-Poodle mix adopted from the Dog's Trust, to Downing Street. Larry has previously lived with Boris Johnson's Jack Russell cross Dilyn and Rishi Sunak's Labrador Nova. Cats Protection advises that "Axel and Larry can form an effective pet coalition at 10 Downing Street if the introduction is handled right." They recommend not transporting pets over long distances unless necessary.
Media Sensation
Larry's popularity has made him a media sensation. A parody X account boasts over 900,000 followers, and he has a popular Instagram account. He featured in a Channel 4 documentary presented by David Baddiel. A Downing Street source told the Guardian: "The minute something happens on the street, especially an official visit, like clockwork, he’ll be out the front. He loves the red carpet."
Historical Chief Mousers
Larry is part of a long lineage of official Downing Street cats, including Rufus (1924-1930), Peter (1929-1946), Bob (1937-1943), Nelson (1940-1944), Peter II (1946-1947), Peter III (1947-1964), Peta (1964-1976), Wilberforce (1973-1987), Humphrey (1989-1997), Sybil (2007-2008), and Freya (2012-2014).
