Starmer disclosed the lengthy decision-making process in an interview with BBC radio, explaining the family’s choice after a summer of debates.”There’s been a long summer of negotiations, back and forth, different options,” Starmer said. “But now we’ve gone for… a kitten instead of a dog.”
The ‘chief mouser’ of Number 10 Larry, a 17-year-old tabby who has been residing at the British prime ministerial residence for 13 years, was initially adopted in 2011 to help control the mouse population. His efficiency in this role has been under scrutiny, with former premier David Cameron noting that Larry’s performance was less than stellar. Despite this, Larry remains a media favorite and even has his social media (parody) presence at @Number10cat.
Starmer, Larry’s sixth prime minister, mentioned additional concerns regarding pet management at Downing Street. He noted that the residence’s security features present unique challenges. “The problem we’ve got, which is the same for JoJo the cat, is that the only door out of our new flat is bomb proof,” he said, as quoted by AFP. “Therefore, getting a cat flap is proving a little bit difficult,” he added.
On Tuesday, Larry, through his social media account managed by a human, acknowledged the arrival of the new kitten while asserting his authority. “The kitten will REPORT to Larry the Cat,” read the post on X.
Larry’s popularity and long-term residency have made him a well-known figure in British politics, leading to the formation of a detailed contingency plan for his eventual passing. This plan has been codenamed “Larry Bridges,” drawing a comparison to the Queen Elizabeth II’s plan dubbed “London Bridge.”
The Starmer family’s decision to bring the new kitten was welcomed by Sarah Elliott, Central Veterinary Officer for Cats Protection. However, she offered some advice to ensure a smooth transition for all the pets. “As the junior member of the growing cat coalition at Downing Street, the prime minister and his family will need to take plenty of time to slowly introduce the new addition to JoJo and Larry.” “Young kittens can be exhausting for older statesmen like Larry, so he’ll also need a safe, quiet area to retreat to when the energy of a younger member of the team gets a bit too much,” Elliott added.