A cat's journey through 14 years of Prime Ministers

If there's been one constant amid the political upheaval of the past 14 years in British politics, it's Larry, the Downing Street Cat.

As the country prepares for parliamentary elections on July 4, Larry, now an elderly feline, is set to greet his sixth prime minister. Since his arrival in 2011, Larry has seen five Conservative prime ministers come and go, and if current polling holds, he may soon welcome his first Labour prime minister.

The departure of outgoing Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also means bidding farewell to Larry's canine counterpart, Prime Minister Labrador Nova. Larry, however, remains indifferent to the change.

According to Sunak's wife, Akshata Murty, Larry and Sunak had their share of "intense stand-offs," with the resilient feline always coming out on top.

Labour leader Keir Starmer has mentioned that his family owns a cat named Jojo, who, according to Starmer, receives more affection from his children than he does. Starmer also revealed to The Metro that they have a hamster named Bear. It remains to be seen if either pet—or both—will join Larry at Downing Street should Starmer win the election.

Larry is known for his spirited defense of his territory, often engaging in turf battles with his Foreign Office rival, Palmerston the cat.

Larry first took up residence at Downing Street on February 15, 2011, after being adopted from a Battersea shelter in South London. Initially appointed by then-Prime Minister David Cameron as the "Chief Mouser," Larry's effectiveness in controlling mice has been mixed.

"I don't get a vote in parliamentary elections, but I'll have to live with whoever you choose. No pressure," one of Larry's social media posts quipped after Sunak announced the election date on May 22.

Whatever the result of the election, I'll be here to keep an eye on things x
(Photo @annabotting) pic.twitter.com/deCv3W3wFF

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) May 23, 2024

"Regardless of the election outcome, I'll be here keeping things in check," another post assured.

Reflecting on his decade-long tenure at the Prime Minister's residence during an interview with AFP, Larry (via his social media manager) shared the secret to his longevity: "The key thing to remember is that I'm a permanent resident here. Politicians come and go, but they all eventually realize I'm the one in charge."

Larry's legacy as the feline guardian of Downing Street continues, regardless of the political winds blowing through.