The winner of Battersea's 2020 Purr Minister is announced!

Battersea’s coveted Purr Minister 2020 title goes to magnificent Maine Coon Patrick, owned by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle MP.

The Purr Minister contest aims to find the public’s favourite politician’s cat and is open to the cats of all MPs and Peers. Following three weeks of tooth and claw campaigning from ten impressive candidates, Patrick was named top cat after nearly 5,000 members of the public cast their votes.

Patrick’s popular pawlicies were set out in his Manifursto in which he pledged impurrtiality, a better work/mouse balance, empawment for staff, purrtection for all, regular repawts, no fur flying in the chamber, and, most importantly, feline fine moments for everyone.

Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, Patrick’s proud owner, said, ‘Patrick was up against a tough field of well-loved cats, but I think his personality and beauty won over members of the public, who I must thank for all their support in electing him.’

Commenting on this year’s contest, Battersea’s Head of Catteries and Feline Welfare, Lindsey Quinlan, said: ‘We have been blown away by the amount of public support this year’s candidates have received. Every cat was clearly very special and had something to offer as the next Purr Minister, but the people have spoken and we are thrilled to name Patrick as the winner.’

The shortlisted contenders who just missed out on the esteemed title were:

• Bertie – owned by Stephen Hammond, MP for Wimbledon
• Charlotte – owned by Stephen Doughty, MP for Cardiff South and Penarth
• Collar - owned by Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes
• Hattie – owned by Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
• Hobbes – owned by Wendy Chamberlain, MP for North East Fife
• May – owned by Baroness Blackstone
• Poppy – owned by Jack Brereton, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South
• Rojo Zini Nicolson – owned by John Nicolson, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire
• Toby – owned by David Simmonds, MP for Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner

Battersea would like to thank all the cat owners who took part for their competitive spirit and to congratulate Patrick on his victory. We’re sure he’ll make a pawsome Purr Minister!