Can the new Prime Minister’s cats coexist with the legendary Larry?

  • Larry the Cat has been the Chief Mouser at 10 Downing Street since 2011.
  • New Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces the challenge of introducing his family’s new cat, JoJo, to Larry.
  • Larry has a history of territorial disputes with other pets of former prime ministers.
  • The Starmers have also adopted a new Siberian kitten, complicating the pet dynamics.
  • Larry is a beloved figure in British culture, with a significant social media following.

LONDON—As new British Prime Minister Keir Starmer settles into his role, he faces a unique challenge: managing the dynamics of his family’s pets with Larry the Cat, the long-standing Chief Mouser at 10 Downing Street. Larry, a tabby cat who has been in residence since 2011, was originally brought in by former Prime Minister David Cameron to help control the rodent population. Now, he has outlasted five prime ministers and their pets, becoming a British icon with a dedicated following of 900,000 on social media.nnStarmer, who moved into Downing Street in July after a significant election victory, has brought along his wife, Victoria, and their two teenage children, as well as a male ginger cat named JoJo. However, JoJo has yet to meet Larry, and the family is strategizing on how to introduce the two without causing chaos. The Daily Mail has even warned of a potential ‘cat-astrophe’ if the introduction goes poorly.nnLarry is known for being territorial and has had his share of confrontations with other pets in the past. He had ‘heated exchanges’ with Nova, the Labrador of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Boris Johnson’s dog, Dilyn, who learned the hard way that Larry does not take kindly to intrusions on his territory. Larry’s reputation as a bit of a ‘thug’ has been well-documented, with past altercations leading to police intervention.nnIn a twist, the Starmers have also adopted a new Siberian kitten, which adds another layer to the pet dynamics at Downing Street. For now, JoJo and the kitten are confined to the family’s living quarters while Larry roams freely throughout the rest of the building. Starmer has mentioned the challenge of installing a cat flap on the residence’s bombproof door to allow the new pets more freedom.nnThe British public, known for their love of animals, has been offering advice on how to introduce the cats. Cats Protection, a charity, suggests allowing the cats to get acquainted through scent before a face-to-face meeting. Meanwhile, Larry’s antics continue to entertain the media, who often capture him in action, whether he’s chasing pigeons or interacting with reporters.nnLarry’s popularity even surpasses that of some politicians, serving as a litmus test for how well VIPs can connect with the public. With a rich history of cats in British government, Larry’s presence at Downing Street is a reminder of the lighter side of politics, even as Prime Minister Starmer navigates the complexities of his new role.·

Factuality Level: 6
Factuality Justification: The article provides a light-hearted overview of the relationship between the new Prime Minister and the resident cat, Larry. While it contains some factual elements about Larry’s history and interactions with previous pets, it also includes anecdotal and humorous content that may detract from its overall seriousness. The article does not mislead or propagate false information, but it does lean towards sensationalism and opinion, particularly in its portrayal of Larry’s character and antics.·
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article primarily focuses on the humorous and light-hearted aspects of Larry the Cat’s presence at 10 Downing Street, which detracts from serious political analysis. While it provides some interesting anecdotes, it lacks depth in discussing the broader implications of leadership and governance, making it more of a novelty piece than a substantive analysis.·
Private Companies: Cats Protection
Key People: Keir Starmer (Prime Minister), David Cameron (Former Prime Minister), Rishi Sunak (Former Prime Minister), Akshata Murty (Wife of Rishi Sunak), Boris Johnson (Former Prime Minister), George Osborne (Former Chancellor), Justin Ng (Freelance Photographer), Liz Truss (Former Prime Minister), Mette Frederiksen (Danish Prime Minister), Rab Butler (Education Minister)

Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: The article does not discuss any events that would impact financial markets or companies.
Financial Rating Justification: The article focuses on the personal and humorous aspects of the British Prime Minister’s cat and does not address any financial topics or market impacts.·
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: The article discusses the humorous dynamics between pets in the Prime Minister’s residence and does not mention any extreme events occurring in the last 48 hours.·
Move Size: No market move size mentioned.
Sector: All
Direction: Neutral
Magnitude: Small
Affected Instruments: No

Image source: Her Majesty’s Government / https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/government/assets/history/buildings/larry-the-cat-a47549e08bdbc6cd0e3e042eea943f65b7a4590d95642586e51acb44bb2dcea2.jpg

Reported publicly: www.wsj.com