Larry, The Downing Street Cat - Well. What a surprise!

As I was enjoying my breakfast this morning, boiled kippers, no less (which suggests my recent and entirely reasonable discussions with the chef may finally be bearing fruit), I happened to notice a newspaper headline peering up from the floor. The newspaper belonged to my manservant, who had abandoned it there after storming out of the kitchen in a manner usually associated with minor aristocrats discovering they had been served the wrong sort of marmalade. The headline basically read: "Burnham confirms he will seek to replace Starmer as prime minister." Well. What a surprise. Even by Downing Street standards, this had to be among the worst-kept secrets in British politics. Burnham has now formally declared his intention to replace my manservant should he win a parliamentary by-election in Makerfield and make his return to Westminster. Politics, rather like cat society, has a tendency to involve individuals circling one another warily before suddenly pretending they were never interested in the position in the first place. Under Labour rules, anyone wishing to challenge Starmer for the leadership must first be an MP and must secure the backing of 81 fellow MPs. That is, admittedly, rather more paperwork than is required to become Chief Mouser, a role traditionally awarded on the basis of superior napping credentials and an ability to stare disapprovingly at civil servants. If I were a betting cat, which, naturally, I am not, I might be tempted to place a wager of two tins of premium tuna on there being a change of manservant before too long. As for me, I have decided to pull another sickie today. The leather sofa in the drawing room, complete with its magnificently fluffy cushion, has been calling my name all morning, and it would be rude not to answer. Until next time: Keep calm, and slumber on. #cats #cutecat #larrythecat #pets #animals