SerpApi.Org
Andy Burnham took office on Monday as prime minister of the United Kingdom, replacing the Labour Party's former leader, Keir Starmer, who resigned last month.
Burnham became the U.K.’s 7th prime minister in a decade. Under the British parliamentary system, voters elect a party to govern, not a specific leader, which is why a change in leader doesn't require a national election.
As prime ministers have come and gone, one resident at 10 Downing Street has remained constant over the past 15 years — Larry the Cat, the unbothered Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.
Larry was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in 2011, and he was initially intended as a pet for the children and wife of then-Prime Minister David Cameron. He became Chief Mouser after Downing Street staff observed his superior rodent-hunting skills.
The 19-year-old tabby cat has remained a constant figure behind the black door, outlasting six prime ministers, including Keir Starmer, Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Theresa May and, of course, Cameron.
His tenure has earned him a reputation as one of the most enduring figures in British politics. Larry has over 900,000 followers on an unofficial X account run by an anonymous user. There's even a petition calling for Larry's honorary knighthood.
Outside of catching rodents, Larry is often seen mingling with local children, the press and U.S. presidents. See highlights from his 15 years in office below.
