Larry the Cat remains the resident Chief Mouser at 10 Downing Street following the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, June 23, 2026 [2].
While political leadership in the United Kingdom undergoes a transition, Larry serves as a rare constant within the official residence. His continued presence symbolizes a sense of continuity amidst a period of significant governmental instability.
The cat has become a fixture of British political life, surviving numerous changes in administration. According to reports, Larry has outlasted seven leaders of the UK, including Starmer [2]. Other accounts indicate he served under six prime ministers prior to Starmer's appointment [1].
This transition occurs during a volatile decade for British governance. The UK has seen seven prime ministers in the past 10 years [3]. As the revolving door of leadership continues to turn, the feline resident is expected to stay in his post for the next occupant of the building [1].
Larry's role as the Chief Mouser is a traditional position that transcends the party lines of the occupants. Despite the resignation of the prime minister, the cat continues his duties at the London address [1]. He remains in residence while the process to select a successor proceeds [2].
The stability of the cat's tenure contrasts with the brevity of the humans who have held the office. As the next prime minister prepares to move into 10 Downing Street, they will find the Chief Mouser already in place [1].
“Larry has outlasted seven leaders of the UK”
The longevity of Larry the Cat highlights the extreme turnover of the UK's executive branch over the last decade. With seven prime ministers serving in 10 years, the feline's permanence has transitioned from a quirky anecdote to a symbol of the volatility within the British parliamentary system.
