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Original poster

Who is Larry the cat’s family?

241 replies

Bleurfghjj · 06/07/2024 13:41

Just seen mention of Larry the cat making an appearance for the first cabinet meeting. But… does someone live and sleep there continuously with him? Does he have a family? Is he a lone ranger, does he live independently? What’s the deal?

Who is Larry the cat’s family?
OP posts:
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23
Gloaminggnome · 06/07/2024 14:40

Nightblindness · 06/07/2024 14:01

OP, just for thinking about this you are a woman after my own heart. Dd and I were discussing this yesterday: who is there for him consistently given the comings and goings of PMs.

I know someone who used to work in No.10 and I asked about this - apparently one of the household staff has overall responsibility for him as part of their job so they make sure he gets his vet checkups and whatnot, but generally speaking he is fussed over by everyone.

Contraryjane · 06/07/2024 14:35

Needmorelego · 06/07/2024 14:05

@Bleurfghjj I think the only reason he shouldn't actually be PM is he is quite an elderly gentleman now and doesn't need the stress.

He needs to have a word with Biden

Whatmonth · 06/07/2024 14:35

Surely if Larry has an official title he should be paid the salary for that role.
Does he get holiday pay. What about his pension.

Champagnesocialismo · 06/07/2024 14:34

Ellmau · 06/07/2024 14:32

Apparently the Starmers already have a cat. Not sure Larry will be too pleased given his past battles with other Official Cats.

The Sunaks' dog learnt to be wary apparently after a few swipes.

This is daft because I am definitely in favour of Keir as PM, but the fact he has a cat makes me even more pleased.

Heres hoping for relative cat peace in No 10

Ellmau · 06/07/2024 14:32

Apparently the Starmers already have a cat. Not sure Larry will be too pleased given his past battles with other Official Cats.

The Sunaks' dog learnt to be wary apparently after a few swipes.

charlieinthehaystack · 06/07/2024 14:29

If he needs the vet who would pay for that? appreciate staff tip up for food treats whatever but as any pet owner knows the price of vet treatment these days is not cheap
btw good age but our Minky is 22

ChishiyaBat · 06/07/2024 14:27

I just saw this video, then this thread, Larry is great. I didn't know about the other cats though!

https://youtube.com/shorts/0gIzbvpamNg?si=cHxEyRbrskNKNETZ

Before you continue to YouTube

https://youtube.com/shorts/0gIzbvpamNg?si=cHxEyRbrskNKNETZ

MojoMoon · 06/07/2024 14:26

Larry's unofficial twitter account is run by one of the press agency photographers based at Downing Street.

There is a lot of waiting around so the photographers take a lot of footage of Larry!

LivelyHare · 06/07/2024 14:23

I remember reading once that Larry had to go to the vet because he seemed in pain. The vet said he was sensitive to touch because too many people constantly picked him up. Apparently, there is now a Hands Off Larry policy.

Jigsawpuzzled · 06/07/2024 14:20

Pichee · 06/07/2024 13:55

I know a civil servant who regularly used to go to Number 10. Larry doesn’t have a family. But don’t feel sorry for him he is absolutely adored by staff. I mean if my office had a cat I couldn’t be able to walk past without making a fuss (if cat was okay with it).

Edited

This. He will be very much missed by most who work at no 10 when he passes. He always brings me joy when I see him on TV knowing what a fuss he is getting on the other side of the door. He is a civil servant rather than a pet of the PM who only ever lives there temporarily 🐱🐈

crumblingschools · 06/07/2024 14:18

Seeing Jeremy Hunt leave No. 11 yesterday I wondered how well his dog got on with Larry

JimNast · 06/07/2024 14:13

These feline officials were not democratically elected.

PMs since 2007
Keir Starmer2024 - presentLabourRishi Sunak2022 – 2024ConservativeLiz Truss2022ConservativeBoris Johnson2019 – 2022[1]ConservativeTheresa May2016 – 2019ConservativeDavid Cameron2010 – 2016ConservativeGordon Brown2007 – 2010LabourTony Blair1997 – 2007Labour

ByCupidStunt · 06/07/2024 14:12

User884721 · 06/07/2024 14:11

What if someone implanted some sort of secret recording device in him and listened in to all the cabinet meetings?

😀

You know what, I bet someone has already tried to do that. There will be bug detecting equipment in use at No 10 regularly though.

PontiacFirebird · 06/07/2024 14:11

I wouldn’t mind paying for Larry at all. It’s the human ministers that don’t seem like good value.

User884721 · 06/07/2024 14:11

What if someone implanted some sort of secret recording device in him and listened in to all the cabinet meetings?

Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 06/07/2024 14:11

I am guessing that although we might see Starmer as the new resident of number 10, in reality for Larry, Starmer is just one of many people who hang around his house. I imagine that the police are there all the time plus there will be a contingent of household staff. The civil servants who work there will all remain the same for the moment and will be there whenever they work. It will just be the political advisors on the politicians who will change. They probably aren't the primary people in Larry's life. Cats don't seem to recognise the relevance of being on the electoral roll. Even in our household some regular visitors hold a higher status than some residents. Possibly on a wet Sunday afternoon when there aren't many people around Larry might deign to be stroked by Starmer but I imagine he has other primary slaves most of the week.

Needmorelego · 06/07/2024 14:11

@KnickerlessParsons there's only one Larry.
There's always been cats there.
Humphrey was one that lived there when Thatcher was there, then John Major and then the Blairs.
Allegedly Cheri Blair doesn't like cats so Humphrey was retired.

Westfacing · 06/07/2024 14:09

Singleandproud · 06/07/2024 14:04

Also Larry and his food and care is not paid for by the tax payer but through staff donations.

Surely he's on the Civil Service payroll! Shock

its2024 · 06/07/2024 14:09

Jealous of folks who have met Larry and the other Downing Street cats.

Wish he'd been sitting there when Rishi did his leaving speech, washing his arse in the background.

Fecked · 06/07/2024 14:09

FOJN · 06/07/2024 14:02

I think he waits to be let in, goes straight out of the cat flap and round to the front door to be let in again.

Show quote history

This is what our cat does in our slightly more humble house 😂

FOJN · 06/07/2024 14:08

TheYearOfSmallThings · 06/07/2024 14:08

Whoever adopted a male cat thinking it would be a good mouser should not be in charge of the country.

That is so true.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 06/07/2024 14:08

Whoever adopted a male cat thinking it would be a good mouser should not be in charge of the country.

FOJN · 06/07/2024 14:08

KnickerlessParsons · 06/07/2024 14:06

I thought there have been several Larrys over the years

Show quote history

The one before Harry was Humphrey, he died in 2006, but he did not have an official title!