The Keeper of the Cats

The Keeper of the CatsUnseen Parliament with Rich BunnWhat if the Palace of Westminster had its own official Keeper of the Cats? In this episode, Rich Bunn lifts the curtain on one of the more surreal but entirely real debates inside Parliament: whether deploying cats could solve its long-standing rat and mouse problem. Not in the distant past, but seriously proposed as recently as 2025. It had everything modern politics loves. Environmental credentials, public appeal, and undeniable social media charm.So why didn’t it happen?Rich takes you inside the argument. From senior figures quietly backing the idea, to operational staff raising very practical concerns about fur, damage, hygiene, and the small matter of cats disappearing into a thousand-room gothic labyrinth. Including, yes, the suggestion that a dedicated “Keeper” could track them via geotagging collars.But this isn’t just about cats.This episode explores the hidden ecosystem of the Palace of Westminster. A sprawling, half-medieval, half-crumbling Victorian complex that sits beside a river, houses multiple kitchens, and quietly sustains a remarkable cast of animals. A building that looks like a symbol of order and authority from the outside, is operating more like a slightly chaotic ecosystem on the inside.Sharp, funny, and quietly revealing, this episode blends insider knowledge with the kind of detail you won’t find on any official tour. And while the Keeper of the Cats never quite materialised, you may find yourself wishing they had.Send us Fan Mail