Today (15 February 2011), it was announced that Larry will join the staff of Number 10 Downing Street, the British Prime Minister’s residence. Larry only needs to be referred to by one name. For Larry is a cat, proudly stepping in the pawprints of such former luminaries as Humphrey and Sybil.
It was a few weeks ago when viewers noticed the appearance of a rat, brazenly running across the doorstep of Number 10 whilst a BBC news report was being filmed. The rodent has been seen several times since and it was felt that the time was right to bring feline companionship into the lives of the ministerial staff.
Larry, a tabby, was eventually picked out from those on offer at Battersea Cats’ and Dogs’ Home, because he was, apparently "a good ratter" according to the BBC.
He follows in hallowed footsteps, or should that be "pawprints"? The job of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office (Purr'n'Fur) has been held by several cats in the past century, all of whom are "employed" as civil servants.
Rufus (Treasury Bill) and the Munich Mouser
Not much is known about the early cats in Downing Street, Rufus of England -- nicknamed “Treasury Bill” -- and the Munich Mouser, apart from their approximate terms of office. Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald shared Downing Street with “Treasury Bill”, a rat-catcher of repute in the 1920s, whilst Winston Churchill and Neville Chamberlain were under the paw of the Munich Mouser in the 1930s and early 1940s. Churchill was no stranger to cats, having marmalade cats at his home of Chartwell.
Edward Heath and Wilberforce
Wilberforce served the longest tenure at Downing Street. He started in the 1970s, arriving as a kitten during Edward Heath’s time and even charming the famously unmoveable Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher into bringing him a tin of sardines from Russia. He retired in 1986, having seen no less than four Prime Ministers in that time: Edward Heath, Harold Wilson, Jim Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher. He was the first televised cat in Downing Street, having been introduced to television viewers in 1983.
Humphrey – the Prime Minister’s Cat
Humphrey was the resident feline in Margaret Thatcher’s later years in power and stayed throughout John Major’s tenure. He retired shortly after Tony Blair took office, a persistent rumour circulating to this day that this was due to Mrs Blair, Cherie Booth, QC, not being overly fond of cats. She has denied this emphatically several times, but the rumour has been repeated in connection with almost every news report on Larry’s arrival. Like Wilberforce, Humphrey was a television cat, happy with the media attention his post as Chief Mouser demanded. He has a YouTube video entry and his death was reported solemnly on the BBC. Upon his retirement, he was taken for a well-earned life of leisure at a civil servant’s house, where he died nine years later at the age of 18.
Sybil, Not Fawlty, But Unhappy
Alistair Darling lived at Number 10 whilst Gordon Brown and his family inhabited the traditional Chancellor’s residence of Number 11. The Chancellor’s cat, Sybil, had the run of both houses, but still failed to settle to the bustle of London life and retired either to owner Alistair Darling’s Scottish residence (BBC) or a friend’s London house (Telegraph). As with Humphrey, her death was reported in the papers, even though there was confusion over where she had lived after leaving Downing Street.
It remains to be seen whether Larry will achieve such media fame as the cats who have gone before him. However, given the anticipation with which his arrival has been awaited, it is highly likely that ink will be spilled and webpages will be written comparing his mousing capabilities with his forebears.
Paula Thomas - Paula is, among other things, an editor & proofreader. She also enjoys technology - retro or modern - travel, music, motorsport and ...
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