Larry the cat is preparing to welcome Andy Burnham as the seventh British prime minister to reside at 10 Downing Street [4].

The feline's tenure serves as a rare point of stability in British politics, highlighting a period of frequent leadership changes at the heart of the UK government.

Larry has served as the official chief mouser for 15 years [2]. During this time, the cat has outlasted six prime ministers [3]. The most recent departure occurred in May 2026, when Keir Starmer announced his resignation on a Monday [1]. This transition makes Starmer the sixth leader to leave the residence during Larry's tenure [5].

Now 19 years old [1], Larry remains the permanent resident and official pest controller of the London address. While prime ministers move in and out based on political shifts, the cat's role remains constant regardless of the party in power.

Burnham enters a residence where the feline resident has seen more leadership transitions than most human staff members. Larry's presence has become a cultural symbol of continuity amid the volatility of the Downing Street office, a living link to previous administrations.

As the new prime minister settles into the historic building, Larry continues his duties. The cat's longevity and survival through multiple political eras have made him a global figure of interest, often overshadowing the brief tenures of the politicians he outlasts.

“Larry the cat is preparing to welcome Andy Burnham as the seventh British prime minister”

The continuity of Larry the cat's role underscores the high turnover rate of UK prime ministers over the last decade and a half. While the 'chief mouser' is a symbolic position, the fact that a single pet has outlasted six different heads of government reflects a period of significant political instability and frequent leadership crises within the British executive.