Speaking of Downing Street, in addition to being the residence of the British Prime Minister, most people will also think of a cat here. That's right, it's the cat named Larry, but with the new British prime minister in office, it may face some trouble.
On July 5, 2024, when Sir Kilstarmer was inaugurated as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, he and his pet Jojo moved into 10 Downing Street for the first time, one thing may have been overlooked. That's where Larry has lived in this prestigious home for the past 13 years. So, the first thing Starmer really needs to address may be the tension between Jojo and Larry, as they could go head-to-head over the right to live at 10 Downing Street.
It is reported that Larry was born in 2007, but later became a stray cat. In 2011, because of the serious rodent infestation, Larry, as a member of the UK's largest animal adoption charity "Battersea Cats and Dogs Home", was selected by Cameron, then the British Prime Minister, and since then he has stepped into the Prime Minister's Office and become the "Chief Rat Catcher" of the British Cabinet. It was the first cat in British history to have an "official title", and was affectionately called "Britain's first cat" by the locals.
In 2016, Cameron confirmed Larry's status as a "civil servant" before leaving office, meaning that Larry would retain his residency in Downing Street no matter how the prime minister replaced. As a result, Larry witnessed the tenure of many prime ministers such as Theresa May, Johnson, Truss, Sunak, etc., and was nicknamed the "veteran of the Five Dynasties", which is the constant scenery of Downing Street. Therefore, some netizens jokingly said: "Larry of iron, the prime minister of flowing water." ”
Nikitre Refro, cat behavior manager at the Cat Conservation Group, believes that there can be conflict between the two small animals, as cats protect their territory and the various benefits that come with it, such as food and a warm shelter. It's not a good idea to put them together on the first day in the hope that they will solve the problem on their own, so that both critters will be alert and will most likely behave aggressively. And if you take your time, put them in different places at the beginning so that they get used to each other's scents before they actually see each other. When they get to know each other, it's much easier to see each other again.
As for what Starmer's pet is, it is rumored to be a dog and a cat. It will only be revealed after he officially enters 10 Downing Street. Do you like Larry? Do you think Larry will be able to live peacefully with the new Prime Minister's pet in the future? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area to discuss.