His longevity is enough to make people envious: in office for 10 years, he 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.
Then four years old, Larry leaves the refuge of Battersea with for mission to ratify the heart of the 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 the first few months, but his hunting chart remains thin: 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, snacks 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 remained 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 adored, the feline also plays a “public relations” role, historian Anthony Seldon told AFP. “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 – that’s probably why Boris Johnson also has a dog – but millions of Britons have an animal,” said the political scientist to AFP. “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 occupy the media.
Although he has always refused to speak in front of a microphone, Larry has written a book (well, with the help of a journalist) and is very active on Twitter, where his account – unofficial – is followed by more 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 ”.