Prime Minister Burnham has confirmed that his beloved poodle-mix, Axel, will not be joining him at 10 Downing Street, citing concerns over a potential clash of personalities with the long-serving resident feline, Larry the Cat. The Prime Minister reportedly expressed his belief that Axel "wouldn't get along" with the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, who has held his distinguished post for a decade and a half.
Larry the Cat, a tabby rescue cat, arrived at Downing Street in February 2011 during David Cameron's premiership. He quickly gained public affection and has since become a permanent fixture, outlasting three previous prime ministers – David Cameron, Theresa May, and Boris Johnson – and seeing in a fourth with the current occupant. His role, officially, is to catch mice, though his calm demeanour and occasional naps on the doorstep have made him an unofficial ambassador for the residence.
The Prime Minister's decision means that, for now, Larry will continue to enjoy undisputed reign over the famous address. Previous attempts to introduce other animals to the Downing Street household have met with mixed success. The Camerons had a cat, Freya, who coexisted with Larry for a time, and Boris Johnson's dog, Dilyn, also resided there, though reports of their interactions were often colourful.
While the presence of pets at No. 10 is largely a matter of personal preference for the Prime Minister, it often generates considerable public interest and serves as a lighter counterpoint to the serious business of government. The absence of Axel means that photographs of the Prime Minister entering and leaving his official residence will remain cat-centric, at least for the foreseeable future.
The Prime Minister's office has not indicated any plans to introduce another animal to the residence, ensuring Larry's continued status as the sole official pet. This decision underscores the unique status Larry has achieved, not just as a mouser, but as a symbolic figure of continuity within the ever-changing landscape of British politics.