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.
Hardback | 288 pages | Published September 2025
