Since the Brexit referendum a decade ago, Britain’s political leadership has experienced rapid turnover, with six prime ministers overseeing a turbulent era marked by shifting party control, economic challenges, and social unrest. Throughout this period, a longstanding resident of 10 Downing Street has remained a constant: Larry the Cat, the official chief mouser to the Cabinet Office.

Larry has been a fixture at the prime minister’s residence since 2011, navigating the corridors of power under successive administrations amid political upheaval. His tenure includes outlasting six prime ministers, several political scandals, and major national events. Larry’s symbolic endurance contrasts sharply with the volatility of British politics over the past ten years.

David Cameron served as prime minister from May 2010 until July 2016, when he resigned following the Brexit referendum, in which 52 percent of Britons voted to leave the European Union. Cameron initially called the referendum intending to resolve internal Conservative Party divisions but misjudged public sentiment. His premiership is remembered both for modernizing policies, such as legalizing same-sex marriage, and for the political gamble that ultimately ended his tenure. Cameron briefly returned to government as foreign secretary under Rishi Sunak from November 2023 to July 2024.

Theresa May succeeded Cameron in July 2016, inheriting the complex task of implementing Brexit amid deep divisions within Parliament and her party. May’s time in office was dominated by attempts to negotiate a departure agreement acceptable to both hardline Brexiteers and pro-Europeans, all while managing a fragile parliamentary majority following a 2017 snap election. Her struggles to reconcile competing factions culminated in her resignation in July 2019.

Boris Johnson took office immediately after May, serving from July 2019 to September 2022. Widely recognized as a central figure in the Brexit campaign, Johnson secured a decisive 2019 electoral victory with the slogan “Get Brexit done.” His premiership was marked by delivering Britain’s EU departure and managing the government’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, his leadership was also overshadowed by multiple controversies, most notably the "Partygate" scandal, involving gatherings in Downing Street that violated COVID-19 lockdown rules. Facing mounting pressure, Johnson stepped down in 2022.

Liz Truss’s short tenure as prime minister lasted just 49 days, from September to October 2022. Her government’s attempt at rapid, unfunded tax cuts triggered financial market turmoil, undermining confidence and leading to her swift resignation. The brevity of her premiership was famously compared to the fleeting shelf life of a lettuce in a media commentary.

Following Truss, Rishi Sunak assumed office in October 2022. Seen as a pragmatic technocrat with a background in finance and previous experience as chancellor, Sunak focused on stabilizing the economy and restoring credibility to government management. Despite calming markets and steadying governance, Sunak was unable to overcome public fatigue with prolonged Conservative rule. He remained prime minister until July 2024.

Labour leader Keir Starmer attained power in July 2024, winning a substantial parliamentary majority and promising to end the Conservative era's turmoil. A former top prosecutor, Starmer sought to rehabilitate Labour’s image following its 2019 defeat and internal controversies. His administration, however, faced criticism for policy reversals amid a sluggish economy and the emergence of Nigel Farage’s populist Reform UK Party. Starmer announced his resignation earlier this week, marking another transition in leadership.

Throughout these political shifts, Larry the Cat has maintained his presence at 10 Downing Street, evading the political turmoil that ensnared human residents. Officially charged with keeping the building free of rodents, Larry’s symbolic role as a steady fixture has drawn public affection and attention, even leveraging a recognizable social media presence. The cat’s resilience stands as a quiet contrast to Britain’s decade of volatile leadership, making him an unlikely but enduring figure amid shifting political tides.