British prime ministers come and go. Honestly, lately they seem to leave faster than a bad Uber review. But one permanent fixture remains at 10 Downing Street, unbothered by elections, scandals, or policy u-turns.
Larry the Cat.
With Keir Starmer announcing his exit from office, the political world is resetting yet again. For those keeping score, that means Larry is preparing to welcome his seventh prime minister. Think about that for a second. While the UK political system spins through leaders at a dizzying pace, a former stray from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home keeps the ultimate job security.
Understanding why Larry stays while world leaders pack their bags tells us a lot about the quirky mechanics of British governance. It's not just a cute media sideshow. It's an official civil service tradition.
The True Status of the Chief Mouser
People often assume Larry belongs to whoever is living behind that famous black door. He doesn't. If he did, he would have left back in 2016 when David Cameron stepped down.
Larry is a civil servant.
His official title is Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. He was brought into Downing Street on February 15, 2011, specifically to handle a noticeable rodent issue that TV news crews kept catching on camera. Because he's an employee of the house itself rather than the individual politicians, his residency is entirely separate from the changing of the guard.
When a prime minister resigns, they pack up their family, their personal belongings, and their own pets. Larry stays right where he is. He's part of the estate.
The Growing List of Defeated Leaders
To really appreciate Larry's longevity, look at the timeline of leaders who have moved in, tried to run the country, failed or resigned, and moved out while Larry watched from the windowsill.
- David Cameron (2011–2016): Brought Larry in to fix the mouse problem. Left after the Brexit referendum.
- Theresa May (2016–2019): Endured years of minority government gridlock. Larry remained.
- Boris Johnson (2019–2022): Moved in with his own dog, Dilyn, causing some classic territorial tension. Left after internal scandals.
- Liz Truss (2022): Lasted just 49 days. Larry famously outlasted her by a mile, alongside a viral head of lettuce.
- Rishi Sunak (2022–2024): Brought his Labrador, Nova. Lost the general election.
- Keir Starmer (2024–2026): Entered with high hopes, brought a new Siberian kitten into the mix, and now announces his own departure.
Six leaders down. A seventh is on the way. Larry has seen it all.
What His Daily Life Tells Us About Power
While the media loves to frame Larry as a political mastermind, his actual day-to-day focuses on much more grounded goals. According to official Downing Street briefings, his duties include greeting guests, testing antique furniture for napping quality, and contemplating a solution to the mouse problem.
The press office admits his mouse-catching metrics are actually pretty low. He spends way more time sleeping or posing for photographers than hunting.
But his real value isn't his hunting skills. It's his public relations value. In times of extreme political chaos, Larry represents continuity. When the government is falling apart, the public can look at 10 Downing Street and see a calm tabby cat sitting on the step. He humanizes an intensely stressful political environment. Foreign dignitaries, from US presidents to European leaders, all have to pass him on the way through the door. He's arguably the most effective diplomat the UK has.
The Practical Side of a Downing Street Transition
What actually happens when a new prime minister moves in? For Larry, it means defending his turf.
Incoming leaders often bring their own pets. We saw it with Boris Johnson's dog, Rishi Sunak's Labrador, and Keir Starmer's family cats and kitten. Staff have to carefully manage these introductions so Larry doesn't get stressed out or injured. He's getting older now—having lived at Downing Street for well over a decade, he's a senior statesman in cat years.
The staff at Downing Street handle his daily care, his vet bills, and his feeding routine. They make sure that no matter how chaotic the moving day gets for the human politicians, Larry's routine doesn't change. He gets his food, his favorite sleeping spots remain clear, and he keeps his access to the secure gardens.
If you want to keep up with how Larry handles the upcoming transition, watch the live press feeds outside 10 Downing Street during the leadership handovers. You'll often spot him sitting right next to the podium before the speeches start, reminding everyone who really owns the place.
