Internet Hails 'Chief Mouser' Who Outlasted Four Prime Ministers As New PM

Following the resignation of U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss on Thursday, a fan account for Larry, Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office, published a now-viral tweet sharing it was the feline's turn to take office.

Truss announced her resignation as prime minister after serving in the position less than seven weeks after she said she could not "deliver the mandate on which [she] was elected."

She said she will remain prime minister for another week until a replacement has been found.

"The King has asked me to become Prime Minister because this nonsense has gone on long enough," read the tweet, which was accompanied by a photo of Larry sitting in front of a photoshopped podium.

According to gov.uk's page about the history of 10 Downing Street, Larry has been in residence since February of 2011 and is the first cat to be appointed with the official Chief Mouser title at the prime minister's office.

"Larry was recruited from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home on recommendation for his mousing skills," officials said. "He joined the Number 10 household and has made a significant impact."

The website listed Larry's responsibilities as finding a solution to the mice in the house.

"Larry says this is still 'in tactical planning stage,'" the website said.

The Twitter page's bio also noted that Larry is serving his fourth prime minister, though, with Truss' departure, he is likely to see his fifth.

Larry Chief Mouser
Above, an image of Larry, Chief Mouser, at 10 Downing Street in London. A fan page for the feline joked that he would be next to serve as prime minister following the resignation of Prime... Hollie Adams/Getty Images

In addition to Truss, Boris Johnson, Theresa May and David Cameron were in office at the same time as Larry.

Responses to the tweet were swift.

"All hail Larry," a tweet read.

"Thank you for being the rock the country can rely on," another Twitter user joked.

"Nice to have some stability at last, and I hope we can see a continuation of the key policy of chasing foxes out of Downing Street," one Twitter user wrote.

Many voiced their approval for the appointment, and one even edited a photo to show Larry wearing a bowtie in front of a podium with his supporters behind him holding "Larry For Leader" signs.

"A truly noble choice, and the longest serving resident of No 10, and the only one who can lead us," a Twitter user wrote.

Truss is the shortest-serving prime minister in U.K. history, and that fact has been highlighted by the Daily Star.

The publication launched a campaign to see if a head of lettuce would last longer than Truss in her role as prime minister.

Truss serving as prime minister was short-lived, but she did hold office longer than U.S. President William Henry Harrison, who died 32 days into office.

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Catherine Ferris is a Newsweek reporter based in New York. Her focus is reporting for the U.S. Trends Team. She ... Read more

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