Downing Street Cats - A history of our paw-ministers
Downing Street & Famous Cats
With the amount of coming and going in Number 10, it can often feel like the famous black door has been fitted with a cat flap. At the time of writing, there have been 57 prime ministers of the United Kingdom and who knows, this number could have doubled depending on when you read this. There is, however, one constant at Number 10, a place that seems to hold so much uncertainty in recent times, and that is the pets. Whilst it can seem like a void behind the door, it is in fact the home of the prime minister, and what is any home incomplete without? A pet. Here is a brief history of who we are dubbing our paw-ministers, the cats of Number 10.
How many cats have been in Downing Street?
So how many cats have been restoring claw and order in the most recognisable council house in the United Kingdom? The answer may actually surprise you.
In total, there have been 12 cats that have held the title of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, we will get to this later. There have been other cats in Downing Street that have simply just been pets to the residents of both Number 10 and Number 11. Number 11, Downing Street is the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, so it too is used to many comings and goings. Many prime ministers, including David Cameron and Tony Blair have chosen to live in the apartment in Number 11 as it is actually larger than the apartment above Number 10, but that is by the by.
Some cats that have been on Downing Street simply as a pet include Sybil, who was the first pet cat in over 10 years when she moved into number 11 with former Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling and his wife Maggie. Sybil however could not settle in Downing Street and returned to the Darling family home in Edinburgh after just six months.
Another famous pet cat that has set paw in Downing Street is Humphrey. Humphrey was a stray cat that spent a lot of his time at Downing Street in 1989. He would then be ‘adopted’ as the official cat of Downing Street. Humphrey oversaw three prime ministers during his time as paw-minister; Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and Tony Blair. Humphrey however was booted out of Number 10 due to Cherie, the wife of Tony Blair, having a dislike of cats. She definitely was not a cat purrson.
What is the position of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office?
As mentioned, there is an official role for cats at Downing Street, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. There has been a history of cats in government offices dating back to the times of Henry VIII, however, the official role was only coined in 1924 when then-prime minister Ramsey MacDonald set aside some petty cash for an ‘efficient cat’ to help deal with rats and mice. This cat was named Rufus of England, and was also known as Treasury Bill.
Despite the role being non-political, there have been affinities for certain cats based on the prime minister and their political party. Humphrey, who was the unofficial chief mouser between 1989 and 1997, had a high approval rating with Conservative voters during the tenures of tory prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major, and then high approval by Labour voters during the tenure of Labour prime minister Tony Blair.
History of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office
There have been a total of 12 Chief Mousers to the Cabinet Office. The very first as mentioned was Rufus of England who would serve for six years from 1924 to 1930. Here are all of the chief mousers that have served since 1924:
Rufus of England: 1924-1930
Rufus would serve for six years after being used to help with mice and rats in Downing Street under prime minister Ramsey MacDonald.
Peter I: 1929-1946
Peter was made Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office and served under five prime ministers: Ramsey MacDonald, Stanley Baldwin, Neville Chamberlain, Winston Churchill, and Clement Attlee.
Munich Mouser: 1937-1943
Munich Mouser was named by Winston Churchill after the Munich agreement was signed by him, Adolf Hitler, and others. How paw-kward. Munich Mouser was Chief Mouser during Winston Churchill’s first tenure and Neville Chamberlain.
Nelson: 1940-Unknown
Nelson was also classed as Chief Mouser during Winston Churchill’s first term as prime minister. Not much is known about Nelson, and his time as Chief Mouser did overlap with Munich Mouser.
Peter II: 1946-1947
Peter II is a sad story. He arrived in Downing Street as a kitten to replace Peter I. Sadly, this black cat's time was brief after he was struck by a car in Whitehall in 1947. He passed away due to his injuries.
Peter III: 1947:1964
Peter III, the third Peter, is the longest-serving chief mouser providing 17 years of service. Peter III was well-known due to his appearance on national television in 1958. Peter III saw five prime ministers, Clement Attlee, Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas-Home.
Peta: 1964-1976
Perhaps Peter IIII was too much of a mouthful. Peta was Peter III’s successor. Peta was the first female cat to have the role of Chief Mouser. Peta worked as Chief Mouser under three prime ministers, Alec Douglas-Home, Harold Wilson, and Edward Heath.
Wilberforce: 1973-1986
Wilberforce was adopted from an RSPCA shelter as a kitten in 1973. Wilberforce saw four prime ministers in Number 10, Edward Heath, Harold Wilson, Jim Callaghan, and Margaret Thatcher. Wilberforce was famous for waiting at the door of number 10 and having the policemen guarding the door knock for him to get back in.
Humphrey: 1989-1997
As mentioned, Humphrey was an adopted stray and was honorary Chief Mouser. Humphrey saw three prime ministers, Margaret Thatcher, John Major, and Tony Blair before being kicked out of Downing Street to live out the remainder of his days in South London.
Sybil: 2007-2009
Named after Sybil Fawlty from Fawlty Towers, Sybil was the cat of Alistair Darling, former Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sybil was another unofficial Chief Mouser and was more of a pet for Number 11 during the tenure of Gordon Brown. Sybil was the first chief mouser for 10 years following on from Humphrey.
Freya: 2012-2014
Freya was another cat that was owned by former Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne. She oversaw David Cameron in Number 10 during her time as Chief Mouser. Freya led a dramatic political career. At one point, Freya would wander over a mile away from Downing Street. She would also be hit by a car in Whitehall but would survive. She would also be archnemesis of…
Larry: 2011-Ongoing
Larry is the current Chief Mouser of the Cabinet Office. Larry and Freya’s terms overlapped, however, it was not a harmonious relationship. Larry and Freya would often fight and even had to be separated by policemen on a few occasions. Larry has been Chief Mouser for five different prime ministers. These have been David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak. His fame has grown, and calls for #LarryForPM have only escalated due to the shambles that have surrounded him. With his list of prime ministers growing, surely Larry would be a more competent leader than any of the prime ministers he has served.
What other pets have been in Downing Street?
Cats have not been the only animals that have made it to Downing Street. There have actually been many paw-ministers across many years. Most recently human spaniel Boris Johnson bought his fellow furry friend into Number 10, Dilyn the rescue Jack Russell. Former Chancellor of the Exchequer and new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also brought a dog to Downing Street, a labrador named Nova.
In the past, pooches have been ever-present at the prime minister's place of work. Post-war leader Clement Attlee was often spotted outside Number 10 with his Airedale Terrier, Ting. Attlee also had a pet goat named Mary. Unfortunately, Mary never called Downing Street her home as city living didn’t quite suit a farmyard animal.
Winston Churchill also had a dog during his time in office. And no, it wasn’t a bulldog who loved insurance. Churchill’s cuddly compatriot was a poodle named Rufus. Unfortunately, Rufus would pass away due to injuries sustained when he was hit by a car in 1947. Churchill would get another poodle of the same colour, which he named Rufus II. Churchill would then joke that the ‘II’ was silent.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_(cat)
https://www.petairuk.com/blog/the-history-of-downing-street-pets/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Mouser_to_the_Cabinet_Office
