The UK has a new Prime Minister, but it’s not the only one setting the agenda at 10 Downing Street. Larry, the iconic Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, has taken to Twitter to lay down the law for the incoming leader, Keir Starmer. The 16-year-old tabby, a resident of Downing Street since 2011, has wasted no time in congratulating Starmer on his victory, but only after making his expectations for the new administration abundantly clear.
In a tweet that quickly went viral, Larry, with his characteristically feline bluntness, declared: “Congratulations on your much deserved victory. Now, the important business of my meal times: I like breakfast at 10, lunch at 11, dinner at 3. And 5. And 7. Plenty of snacks in between. Get that right and the rest of your job is a doddle.” The tweet garnered over 230,000 views, and social media users were quick to react with amusement and sympathy for the Prime Minister-to-be.
One user remarked, “I wish I had a cat that wanted breakfast at 10 instead of 5,” while another quipped, “Keir Starmer now has an achievable working agenda. Well done, Larry.” The humorous exchanges continued, with other users highlighting the importance of catering to Larry’s needs. “Also if you see me thinking with my eyes closed DO NOT DISTURB!” one user wrote.
“I hope your new staff member is prepared for the master of the house to be fed on command. As the saying goes, dogs have owners, cats have staff,” another pointed out. The online conversation echoed the sentiment that Larry is not just a pet, but a fixture of Downing Street, with his own distinct set of priorities.
Larry didn’t stop at meal times. He set his expectations for cleanliness high, tweeting, “I hope you’re good at cleaning up messes…” with a photo of himself looking intently at the camera. He went on to declare his authority in another tweet, stating, “Rishi Sunak has offered his resignation to The King but Keir Starmer has yet to be appointed as Prime Minister, so who’s in charge? Me.”
Larry’s playful yet assertive tweets have injected a dose of humor into the UK’s political landscape. With his bold demands and unapologetic presence, he has become a symbol of the unexpected and the humorous, reminding everyone that even in the halls of power, a cat can still be the boss.
