Buddy or rival? Larry the cat has company at 10 Downing Street

In the last decade, every British prime minister's first task is the same -- impressing the resident cat at 10 Downing Street. But Keir Starmer seems to be off to a rocky start as he moves in with his own feline, a rescue cat called JoJo.

Is a catfight impending at the PM's residence? Larry the cat does not think so. A social media handle of UK's Chief Mouser said that it plans to welcome the Starmer family cat.

But Larry is no stranger to conflict. He famously shares a fued with palmerstone -- the resident cat of the UK's foreign office. The two have known to brawl for the camera, with Larry often in the losing corner.

It's only fair to say that Larry the cat should be the primary feline of 10 Downing Street. Afterall, he has stayed longer at the residence than the last 5 prime ministers.

During his tenure Larry can often be seen lapping up the attention of the international media, at times stealing the limelight away from more famous visitors.

The tabby cat was recruited by then-Prime Minister David Cameron to solve a rat crisis at one of the world's most famous addresses.

The rescue cat entered his new home on 15 February 2011, and has been a much-loved resident ever since.

The government website says Larry spends his days "greeting guests..., inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality."

His day-to-day responsibilities also include "contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house," it adds.

Larry, a former stray, has been known to take a relaxed approach to his mousing duties.

The last holder of Larry's office, a male cat called Humphrey, retired in 1997 and died in 2006.

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