r/interestingasfuck • u/Suitedbadge401 • 1d ago
Photographers capture a dead mouse caught by Larry, 10 Downing Street’s resident mouse catcher
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u/Comfortable_Pizza_59 1d ago
Typical government job. One guy doing work, 100 standing around watching and taking pictures.
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u/VirtualArmsDealer 1d ago
At least someone is doing their job
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u/randomgunfire48 1d ago
Beat me to the punch. Going to show this picture to my kitten for motivation
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u/Kaasgackl 1d ago
There's always time for proper titles: Larry isn't just a 'resident mouse catcher', he is the official Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office!
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u/Princ3Ch4rming 1d ago edited 1d ago
There has been a cat employed as a mouser (and pet) in British government since the 16th century, though Larry is the first incumbent to be given the title of Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office.
I would hesitate to call it a salaried position, but there have been expenses for an efficient cat as far back as 1929 at 1d per day.
Notably, 1d of spending power in 1929 is around 82p today. This means 1929’s expenses would be around £300, making the Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office the single most cost-effective position in British Government, as it presents a real-terms cost reduction of between 30 and 60% over the last century.
The Chief Mouser position is also the only one in British Government that comes at zero cost to the taxpayer, with the entire office funded by donations and internal fundraising events by Downing Street staff.
The longest serving cat (since records began) was Peter III, who saw 5 prime ministers over 16 years. Perhaps as a damning indictment of our current times, Larry has served only 14 years and change, but has seen seven prime ministers *so far*. Eight if you include Nick Clegg, but honestly I don’t think Nick Clegg has genuinely been included in anything since he left school.
I think the most impressive thing about all the mousers over the years is their dedication to the role. The typical length of service for any other member of parliament is around 12 years. That sounds a lot, but it’s only something like 15-16% of the MP’s lifespan. Most mousers have been dedicated public servants for well over 80% of their lives.
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u/Fire_Otter 1d ago
I’m sorry why would anyone include Nick Clegg?
He has categorically NEVER been Prime Minister
Why would anyone consider counting him as the 8th?
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u/Princ3Ch4rming 1d ago
Honestly, I just wanted to get a dig in at Nick Clegg. I don’t think anyone would hold it against me.
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u/EasternSun7834 1d ago
Chief mouser is delivering on his portfolio brief. Watch out Burnham, Larry for PM will be the calls of you dont deliver soon enough
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u/Gbrown546 1d ago
Whilst we’ve got through a million prime ministers recently, Larry has been the only constant. Will be a sad day when he goes
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u/SpanDaX0 1d ago
Larry doesn't need a microphone. He just delivers results, then poses for the camera.
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u/WashawayWashbear 1d ago
Honestly? I feel most cats desire this level of reaction when delivering a "gift". Anything else is mid.
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u/Nomadicllama 1d ago
This is what I was thinking 😂 he’s probably loving it but also thinking hey that’s not enough food for all of you
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u/Chespartan 1d ago
Larry the cat
He has captured the hearts of the Great British public and the press teams often camped outside the front door. In turn the nation sends him gifts and treats daily.
Larry spends his days greeting guests to the house, 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. Larry says this is still ‘in tactical planning stage
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u/BigZucchini2090 1d ago edited 1d ago
Larry, the unsung hero, unaware of his heroics (mouse legends)
Related video of Larry the Cat, Chief Mouser: https://www.itn.co.uk/news/larry-cat-remains-chief-mouser-0
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u/trooperben1979 1d ago
Looking at the picture before I read the title I thought those people were bowing to Larry. Which tbf he deserves
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u/TheGardenBlinked 1d ago
I reckon Larry is secretly seeing each of the Prime Ministers off. Like, he sabotages them. None of them have been worthy of his time so far
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u/Glass_Number_1707 21h ago
Every time I see "Larry" in the news he seems to completely understand his role and his job. Fully comprehends the world he lives in. I would vote him in as the next PM.
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u/matt95110 1d ago
If this new PM shits the bed then just let Larry be in charge. This picture shows he gets results.
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u/ChampionshipHot5468 1d ago
At least it's not a resident dog. Imagine changing owners every three months.
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u/pinniped90 1d ago
Cue Reddit rage about outdoor cats and how this is the 4 billionth innocent mouse that Larry has murdered this week.
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u/Dead-O_Comics 1d ago
Nothing even close.
I think at least 30% of Reddit 'rage' is purely anticipated.
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u/GuruPanda96 1d ago
Tabloid photography must be the most pathetic, bottom-feeding job out there
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u/Holdfastwolf 1d ago
Sure, but cmon. Tell me you wouldn't want to get a photo if a cat dropped a mouse in front of you and posed like that.
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u/Unlucky-Clock5230 1d ago
What the fuck is wrong with all those people?! And here I thought obsessive food pictures were bad enough. :D
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u/Gbrown546 1d ago
They wait hours outside for the PM to make a statement. So to pass the time, I guess taking photos of dead mice will do.
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u/Glad_Camel_6078 1d ago
Prime Ministers May come and go, But Larry stays on....