Another New Owner at 10 Downing Street? The Hidden Power Behind the Scenes, the 'Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office'

On July 20 (local time), Andy Burnham, leader of the UK's Labour Party, was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

He becomes the new occupant of 10 Downing Street, succeeding former Prime Minister Starmer, who resigned after two years in office.

[Andy Burnham / UK Prime Minister: I will make this moment a turning point for the UK and lead a major transformation that has not been seen in the last 40 years.]

However, it was a cat that appeared at the venue before the new Prime Minister that drew the attention of the press.

[CNN Reporter: Larry, do you like Prime Minister Andy Burnham?]

Adopted in 2011 and living at the Prime Minister's residence for 15 years, Burnham is the seventh Prime Minister Larry has served.

Larry's official title, as introduced on the UK government website, is 'Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office'.

Then-Prime Minister David Cameron brought Larry in from a cat shelter to tackle the infestation of mice at the residence.

However, Larry has shown remarkable talent in areas other than his primary duty of catching mice.

His greatest specialty is 'greeting guests'.

Whether it was a visit from U.S. President Trump, Ukrainian President Zelensky, or the late Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Larry has always been at the door to welcome world leaders whenever they visited Downing Street.

He often steps out of the door before the Prime Minister to prepare the press for an interview, or is the first to greet the Prime Minister when they return home. He is the hidden power at 10 Downing Street, having faithfully assisted the Prime Minister from his closest side for 15 years.

[Justin Ng / Downing Street Photographer: Larry is the most constant presence in British politics. No matter who the new Prime Minister is, he always remains the same.]

Larry's food and care expenses are covered not by taxes, but by donations from the staff at 10 Downing Street.

This is because he is the symbol of 10 Downing Street, having steadfastly guarded the heart of British politics through the turbulence of seven different Prime Ministers over the past 15 years.

Reported by Kim Young-a | Video by Lee Hong-myung | Produced by SBS Digital News
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.