Who Is Larry the Cat? The 10 Downing Street Chief Mouser Who Has Outlasted 6 UK Prime Ministers
Larry the Cat, the official Chief Mouser of 10 Downing Street, has once again captured public attention with a viral political joke on social media. Adopted in 2011 from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Larry has outlasted six UK prime ministers, becoming a symbol of continuity through years of political change, leadership contests and historic events.
As political speculation continues to swirl in the United Kingdom, one long-serving resident of 10 Downing Street remains untouched by leadership changes. Larry the Cat, the official Chief Mouser of the Prime Minister's residence, has once again attracted attention after a humorous social media post jokingly referenced the future of British political leadership.
The parody account associated with Larry recently posted on X: “I have accepted Keir Starmer's resignation as my chief servant and have invited Andy Burnham to lay out details for how many meals a day he'll give me.” While the post was intended as political satire, it renewed public interest in the cat that has become one of Britain's most recognisable non-political figures. ‘Accepted Keir Starmer’s Resignation As My Chief Servant’: Larry the Cat’s Viral Post Steals Show As Andy Burnham Enters UK PM Race.
Here's Larry the Cat
Meet Larry the “House Cat” at 10 Downing Street - he has now seen 6 Prime Ministers come & go : Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak, & Starmer
Who’s Next? pic.twitter.com/jDsINePCOP
— Sameer (@BesuraTaansane) June 23, 2026
Larry the Cat Says 'Another One Bites the Dust'
Another one bites the dust. pic.twitter.com/qjVMNYcjdg
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) June 22, 2026
Who Is Larry the Cat?
Larry is the official Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office and has lived at 10 Downing Street since 2011. He was adopted from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home during the premiership of David Cameron and was originally brought in to help control the rodent population around the historic government building.
Over the years, however, Larry's role has expanded far beyond pest control. Through regular appearances in news coverage and a widely followed parody social media presence, he has become a unique symbol of continuity in British politics. Who Is Andy Burnham? ‘King of the North’ Emerges As Frontrunner To Succeed Keir Starmer As UK Prime Minister.
The Downing Street Resident Who Outlasted 6 UK PMs
Since arriving at Downing Street, Larry has witnessed an extraordinary period of political change in Britain.
The cat has remained at Number 10 through the tenures of:
- David Cameron
- Theresa May
- Boris Johnson
- Liz Truss
- Rishi Sunak
- Keir Starmer
His longevity has made him one of the most enduring residents of the Prime Minister's official residence. While political leaders have changed amid elections, resignations and leadership contests, Larry has maintained his position throughout.
A Witness to a Decade of Political Change
Larry's time at Downing Street has coincided with some of the most significant political developments in recent British history. He has been present during Brexit negotiations, multiple general elections, cabinet reshuffles, leadership challenges and changes of government.
His continued presence has led many observers to jokingly describe him as one of Britain's most stable institutions. The cat's popularity often surges during periods of political uncertainty, when media attention turns to the only Downing Street resident whose position appears unaffected by leadership contests.
Larry's parody social media account has become known for its humorous commentary on British politics. The latest post imagining a leadership transition through the lens of feline priorities quickly gained attention online.
“I have accepted Keir Starmer's resignation as my chief servant and have invited Andy Burnham to lay out details for how many meals a day he'll give me,” the account wrote. The post reflects the tongue-in-cheek style that has helped Larry maintain a following far beyond the walls of Downing Street.
Although his official title remains Chief Mouser, Larry has evolved into a cultural fixture of British public life. As discussions continue over the future of political leadership in the UK, Larry's role remains unchanged.
For many observers, the cat has become a light-hearted reminder of continuity amid years of political change, serving as a familiar presence through successive governments and historic events.
More than a decade after arriving at 10 Downing Street, Larry remains one of the most recognisable residents in British politics, and one of the few whose job security appears unquestioned.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 23, 2026 01:35 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
