Larry the Cat, the UK’s most magnanimous and beloved feline, has shared his home with six prime ministers since he was brought on to No. 10 Downing St. in 2011.
After elections last week diminished current Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s party and grip on power, it seems only a matter of time before a seventh prime minister applies to share Larry’s home.
But if doing the same thing repeatedly and hoping for different results is the definition of insanity, as the famous saying has it, then it won’t be long before Larry outlasts his seventh and eighth prime ministers.
There’s a simple solution: roll out the big chair for Larry. He already naps in it.
As the UK’s equivalent of the White House, No. 10 is both the residence and office of the country’s political leader, and in 2011 the rodent problem at Downing Street was so out of control that then-Prime Minister David Cameron famously threw a fork at a mouse which appeared during a state dinner.
Enter Larry. A prominent local rescue in London, Battersea Dogs and Cats, recommended the former stray for his hunting skills, and Larry arrived at Downing Street like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
He has outlasted Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak.
With the prime ministership feeling like a revolving door at times, Larry’s stoic presence has provided the kind of stability the late Queen Elizabeth II would be proud of. He’s become a national treasure, with approval numbers with the public that human politicians would kill for.
Now the sixth human Larry has generously allowed to occupy No. 10, Keir Starmer, is on the ropes. While we don’t pretend to be experts on the procedures, deal-making and Machiavellian maneuvering that allows UK politicians to wrangle coalitions into prime ministerships, the headlines indicate Starmer is on his way out even as he tries to dig in his heels.
He’s lost a significant amount of support since a major election defeat, and while he remains defiant, his own party members have begun to urge him to step down. It’s a familiar pattern to anyone who has observed politicians come to grips with the end as everyone around them braces for change.
Larry celebrated his 19th birthday just a few months ago but has shown no signs of slowing down.
Here at PITB, Little Buddy and I feel that instead of handing the government to another incapable human, it’s long past time to make Larry the official prime minister.
Larry is already the UK’s de facto leader, well-versed in statecraft from more than 15 years of napping in the vicinity of the UK’s top decision-makers. He’s not intimidated by other politicians, and while some (like former US President Barack Obama) have earned his favor, he’s famously snubbed others.
He’s been the de facto power within No. 10 for quite some time, his leadership skills are beyond question, and the kids love him!
Larry for Prime Minister in 2026!
Pain In The Bud 
I just saw this Youtube short on Larry on tv. Shocked no one called for his execution when attacking birds. 😂And this crap came onto my phone. Some woman in U.K. thinks Larry is dead and has been replaced!
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Larry’s got my vote!! Very proud of the two Buddies for recognizing true talent. Good work, guys.
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We’re Larry fans here at Casa de Buddy. We liked Palmerston too, and loved the rivalry he and Larry had. I’m sure the UK press much preferred when there was entertaining drama unfolding before them as they waited for the politicians to come out and pretend to answer their questions.
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I’ll second that!
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I totally agree- UK politics has been a mess of uselessness caused by Blair year ago , the constant that we all look to is of course Larry, calm , constant and always there. An icon of Britishness globally. Wonderful article by the Big Buddy
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At the very least Larry deserves a throne, veto power over legislation and the ability to introduce his own bills.
Imagine the Great British Napping Act of 2026 designating national napping hours!
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I’m the number 1 fan of Larry !
19 and still looking like a young man.
Great article.
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Politics is in meltdown here, we’re in uncharted territory and it’s super scary. Chaos does not simply reign but instead pours relentlessly from a sombre sky. We need common sense and continuity, and Larry could provide both. I’d vote for him.
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As chaotic as the UK system can feel, it does seem to offer the opportunity to replace ineffective leadership rather quickly.
Of course a Larryesian government would slow the pace down considerably with sensible new napping policies.
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Very definitely! And let’s also hope for Quiet Time throughout the British Kingdom, while the noble Larry takes his nap!
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At least Larry wouldn’t support a genocide, unless the targets were mice. And even then, he would only support them being killed one at a time, after duly inspecting them for deviousness.
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To Susan. Exactly!! And like i said, shocked that cat killing Austrailia has not called for Larrys assassination. I saw what Larry did in video. Hope he has security.😂 And he has my vote!!
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I dunno, did you see the video of Larry protecting his territory from a fox? Or his many dust-ups with the late Palmerston? He can rule with an iron paw when he needs to.
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Is it me or is Larry giving the evil eye to maybe the person who put that bow around his neck?😂
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To me it looks like he’s got an imperious look on his face, as if he’s saying “Yes, human, I rule this domicile. Witness me sit on this formal table used by humans for high level government meetings, and no one will dare tell me to get down!”
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We’d vote for him
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