Sir Keir Starmer made a light-hearted remark about Larry the cat, the Chief Mouser at Number 10, while discussing the newly passed Renters’ Rights Act. Speaking at a reception for homelessness charities, the prime minister emphasised that the legislation grants tenants greater rights to keep pets in rental properties.
Starmer’s Anecdote
Sir Keir shared a personal story, revealing that he had to buy his daughter a cat named Prince to persuade her to live with him at Downing Street. He humorously suggested that Larry, the famous resident feline, ‘went through the roof’ upon hearing the act had passed. The prime minister quipped that Larry might not fully understand the concept of ‘tenant responsibility,’ drawing laughter from the audience.
Reception and Context
The event, hosted by homelessness charities, provided a platform for Starmer to highlight the government’s commitment to improving tenants’ rights. The Renters’ Rights Act, a key piece of legislation, aims to make renting fairer and more flexible, including provisions for pet ownership. Starmer’s joke served to humanise the policy discussion, connecting it to everyday life in Downing Street.
The audience responded warmly to the prime minister’s humour, which underscored the act’s practical implications for pet-owning tenants across the country.
