After a fur-midable face-off on the campaign trail, Battersea can reveal that the winner of Purr Minister 2026 is the magnificent Bella, owned by Adrian Ramsay MP.
Bella was named Parliament's Top Cat with 877 votes from the public. The well-earned title was fought with Bella triumphing over Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley’s moggie, Ebba, who finished second with 741 votes.
Bella's popular policies were set out in her Manifursto where she pledged the following:
Domestic Affairs and Infrastructure
- Open-Door Mandate: All interior doors must remain open. Leave does not mean leave. Cats reserve the right to enter, leave, re-enter and reconsider without explanation.
- 3:00am Readiness: Nightly zoomies and yowling are essential to national security.
- Property Rights: If it exists, it is ours. If it is on a table edge, it belongs on the floor.
- Stop the Dogs: Cats retain supreme authority over dogs, dog beds and all disputed soft furnishings.
Economy and Labour
- Labour Reform: Keyboard work is a joint human-feline task. Laptops must remain warm.
- Currency Overhaul: Paper money will be replaced by tuna, Dreamies and premium catnip.
- Working Time: Purring on distressed humans is labour and must be rewarded. Cats are entitled to 18 hours’ sleep daily and do not work weekends.
Health and Public Safety
- Dietary Standards: The bottom of the bowl must never be visible. Visibility is a national emergency.
- Anti-Wetness Law: Baths, sprays and suspicious splashes are banned.
- The Lap Act: All human laps are cat property, and moving a settled cat is an offence.
- Carpet Puking Rights: Every cat deserves soft, light-coloured carpet for emergencies. No cat will be expected to vomit on a hard, wipe-clean floor.
Battersea would like to thank all the MPs and Peers who took part for their competitive spirit, and to all members of the public who voted. We'd also like to congratulate Bella on her victory. We’re sure she'll make a pawsome Purr Minister!
Campaigning for dogs and cats
We want to improve the welfare of every dog and cat – not just the ones at our centres. That’s why we speak up on animal welfare issues and make sure MPs and Peers hear about the changes that are needed.
But we can’t do it alone. With the help of animal lovers like you, our voice is so much louder. Together we can reach decision makers and keep dogs and cats high on the agenda.
Find out more about what we’re campaigning on, and how you can get involved.
