Political Animals

Larry
the cat, chief mouser of Downing Street, has seen off five Prime Ministers so
far and is a national treasure. Though certainly the most famous cat in
Britain, Larry is only one of a long line of political animals at the seats of
government on both sides of the Atlantic.

From
pandas and platypuses to Labradors and lions, animals have long shored up peace
between rivals, clinched election campaigns, caused divisions within parties
and left their unique calling cards in the halls of power.

Journalist
and former special adviser Peter Cardwell traces the political (and
not-so-political) adventures of these fascinating pets from Tudor times to No.
10's newest kitten. Drawing on exclusive interviews with Washington and
Westminster insiders, including Prime Ministers past and present, Cardwell
reveals never-before-heard tales of political pets and offers a fresh insight
into the enduring relationships between those in government and their furry
friends.

This
updated paperback edition explores Larry's life under the eventful premierships
of Theresa May and Liz Truss and takes a closer look at the life of Palmerston,
the former Foreign Office cat, who passed in February 2026.