Among the most closely guarded secrets of senior officials in government are plans for the death of a royal. But there is another figure who has been a constant companion and reassuring presence to six prime ministers, for whom careful stage-managing about news of their demise has been quietly conducted.
Senior officials working in Downing Street over the past year have drawn up a plan for announcing the death of Larry the Cat. It is known as “Larry Bridges”, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the code names given to safeguard the details of preparations for royal deaths.
Planning for the death of Queen Elizabeth II was known as Operation London Bridge, while King Charles’s is referred to as Operation Menai Bridge, after a crossing in Wales. Like a monarch, Larry has been a longstanding resident of Westminster despite the recent churn of prime ministers. He was brought in to Downing Street as the “chief mouser” from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home in 2011.
Originally meant to be a pet for David Cameron’s children, he stayed in Downing Street after the former prime minister and his family moved out. Larry has since gone on to outlive the tenures of Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
But concerns about the 17-year-old cat’s health are a frequent topic of conversation among government officials, who look after him. Larry has already surpassed the average lifespan of a tabby, leading some civil servants to re-examine preparations for how to announce his death.
Photos of Larry in Downing Street have been specially selected to be released upon news of his demise, contained in folders on the No 10 IT system. A press release and graphics have also been drafted “ready for the sad day he goes”, in the words of one government source. Though the source stressed that Larry was “doing OK now”.
Planning for a Feline’s Demise
A second government insider confirmed the “Larry Bridges” plan had been pulled together for “the announcement of his death to the world”. They added: “We felt it had to be handled so sensitively.” While a third source added that a “social media plan” had also been drafted, to announce the news to Larry’s online admirers.
Larry’s arrival in No 10 paved the way for other cats to move into Whitehall. Palmerston the cat moved in to the Foreign Office, while Gladstone, a black domestic short-hair feline, joined the Treasury, both in 2016. Gladstone “retired” and moved out a few days before Christmas in 2019. “He is still alive, happy and well and living with an HMT staff member,” the Treasury said in response to a freedom of information request earlier this year. “There are no plans to replace him with another cat.” Palmerston left Westminster in August 2020 and was said to have retired to the countryside.
Larry's Legacy
The meticulous planning for Larry’s death, codenamed “Larry Bridges”, reflects the unique place he holds in British politics. He has become an unofficial symbol of Downing Street, transcending the political turmoil that has marked the past decade. While his tenure as “chief mouser” is coming to an end, his legacy as a beloved national figure is likely to endure. The government’s careful preparations for his passing, much like the elaborate plans for the death of a monarch, speaks volumes about the affection and respect that Larry has earned over the years. Larry, the tabby who has outlasted prime ministers and chancellors, has proven that even in a world of political upheaval, some things remain constant – the love for a furry friend.
