Larry the cat may miss out as Burnham’s dog ‘wouldn’t get on’ with him

Andy Burnham has poured cold water on the idea of his pet dog moving into Downing Street, saying he doesn’t think his poodle-mix Axel would “get along” with Larry the cat, who has served as Chief Mouser for 15 years and outlasted four prime ministers.

A very British problem

It’s not a diplomatic crisis or a budget shortfall. It’s a dog-versus-cat standoff that could define the early days of a Burnham premiership before it even begins. The Greater Manchester Mayor, widely considered a frontrunner for the Labour leadership, told reporters this week that Axel’s temperament around cats made the whole situation “complicated.” His words, not ours.

Larry, a brown-and-white tabby adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home back in February 2011, has become something of a national institution. He’s served under David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, and Rishi Sunak — and survived every single one of them. He currently lives in the flat above Number 11 with Keir Starmer’s family, having been kept on after the 2024 general election.

What Burnham actually said

Speaking at a public event in Manchester, Burnham was asked about his plans for the famous feline should he one day make it to Number 10. “I’m not sure Axel would get on with Larry, to be honest,” he said, laughing. “That could be a problem.” He didn’t elaborate on whether Axel had a specific history with cats, but the comment drew a warm response from the crowd.

Still, it raises a genuine question. What happens to Larry if a new prime minister arrives with a pet that simply won’t tolerate him?

Larry’s uncertain future

A Downing Street spokesperson declined to comment on any future living arrangements for the cat, describing the question as “hypothetical.” But animal welfare campaigners have previously called for clarity around Larry’s long-term security, pointing out that his role has no formal legal protection despite his official government title.

Larry is now 17 years old — elderly by domestic cat standards — and has been at the address longer than most of the staff. He has his own verified social media presence and regularly appears in photographs taken outside the famous black door. Tourism industry figures suggest he generates significant goodwill for the UK’s image abroad, though no one has ever put a precise number on it.

What comes next

The Labour leadership race remains fluid, and Burnham hasn’t formally declared his candidacy. But the Axel-and-Larry question, however lighthearted, has already lodged itself in the public conversation. And in British politics, stranger things have shaped a campaign.

Whether Axel ever sets paw inside SW1A 2AA remains to be seen. For now, Larry holds the keys — metaphorically speaking — and he doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere.