longevity is something to make people envious: in office for 10 years, he has served the United Kingdom under three Prime Ministers. Between naps, mice and flashes, the cat Larry reigns supreme at 10 Downing Street. However, it has not been easy for the tabby and white tomcat since he first crossed the famous black door of the residence of the head of the British government on February 15, 2011. At the age of four, Larry left the Battersea refuge with the mission to ratify the heart of power. Chosen for his “true predatory instinct”, according to Downing Street, he was named “chief mouse hunter”, a title that his predecessors did not have the honor of officially receiving.
The Kingdom’s expectations are high, but Larry’s efficiency disappoints. He certainly, according to then Prime Minister David Cameron, killed three mice in the first few months, but his hunting chart remains meager: Larry is there, but the mice are dancing. It is said in the hot seat, but Larry manages to stay in office. His biographical note on the official government website underlines that he has “known how to conquer the hearts of the public” and of the journalists who offer him, while waiting in front of the residence, nibbles and sweets. Larry tests “old furniture” for his naps. As for rat control, it would still be in the “tactical planning phase”.
When David Cameron resigned in 2016 after the “Leave” victory in the Brexit referendum, Larry stayed in Downing Street. This separation questions, so much so that during his last question-and-answer session in front of Parliament, Cameron denies, with a photo in support, the rumors of disagreement with the animal. Larry will then cohabit with Theresa May, then Boris Johnson.
“I’m the one who runs”
In a country where animals are worshiped, the feline also plays a role of “public relations”, explains historian Anthony Seldon. “It helps to humanize the Prime Minister”, underlines the specialist of Downing Street, and in difficult times, to make “distraction”. “When there is such a disconnect between politicians and voters, a prime minister, especially a prime minister who has arguably made matters worse by helping to polarize the country, will seize any opportunity to give people the impression that ‘they have something in common,’ says Tim Bale, professor of political science at Queen Mary University in London. “We do not like all cats, which is probably why Boris Johnson also has a dog, but millions of Britons have animals”, underlined the political scientist. “So there is an opportunity to be seized. ”
Larry is on all state visits. If he was friendly with Barack Obama, he also immobilized “the Beast”, the armored limousine of his successor in the White House Donald Trump, by remaining stubbornly posted below. On December 24, when the press was suspended on the announcement of the post-Brexit agreement between London and Brussels, he illustrated himself by catching in a flash a pigeon too busy pecking the macadam. The volatile distracted managed to escape, and Larry, to keep the media busy.
While he has always refused to speak to a microphone, Larry has written a book (well, with the help of a reporter) and is very active on Twitter, where his unofficial account is followed by over 430. 000 subscribers. Who is behind it? The mystery remains. Contacted on the social network, “Larry” ensures that no human helps him to tweet. The secret of its longevity? “You have to remember that I live here permanently, the politicians only stay with me until they are fired”, explains “Larry” to AFP, “they realize sooner or later that it ‘I am the one running the place ”.
“When you think they can’t possibly do a worse job, they somehow manage it. Every promise is broken and people have had enough. Ask the country if they’d rather have Boris or me in charge and I’d win a landslide” pic.twitter.com/k0fiYkN9ww
— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) January 4, 2021
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