Bella, the 14-year-old cat belonging to Adrian Ramsay MP, has won Battersea’s Purr Minister 2026 competition with 36 per cent of the public vote. The charity announced the result on 9 September.
Her campaign included a promise to prevent cats having to see the bottoms of their food bowls. Finally, an issue Goldfish would attend a meeting about.
A cat election with a useful purpose
Battersea runs the contest to celebrate cats and draw attention to their welfare. Parliamentary cats have competed for the title since 2014; this year Bella finished ahead of the other contenders following a public vote.
The winner’s programme also featured a tuna-based economy. We have questions about diversification, but the constituency seems content.
Behind the silliness, Battersea is encouraging people to consider giving a rescue cat a home. You can read about its rehoming process directly. If you are weighing up the commitment, our guide to the cost of keeping a cat is a useful place to start.
No election required. The successful applicant will be informed that the sofa has changed ownership.
Source: Battersea’s result announcement, 9 September 2026. Checked 13 September 2026.