Battersea Dogs & Cats Home have revealed the Westminster cat that has picked up this year’s coveted Purr Minister 2018 title – Alfie, owned by Ann Clwyd, MP for Cynon Valley.
Following weeks of intense campaigning from all eight candidates, which included two Battersea cats this year, Alfie clawed his way to the top with an impressive victory over his fellow felines by winning 34% of the popular vote.
Whilst campaigning for the title with his popular pawlicies, Alfie persuaded his peers with his ‘Manifursto’ which promised purrtection for cats by making it compulsory to report cat deaths on roads, purrmoting Lucy’s Law for cats and dogs – particularly in Wales, and a purrmanent amnesty for mice, squirrels and birds on Sundays.
Ann Clwyd, proud owner of Alfie and MP for Cynon Valley, said: “I’m so happy that Alfie’s dedication to the campaign has paid off. I know that he’ll get straight to work on his manifursto – what’s impawtant to his voters is what’s impawtant to him. We want to say thank you to everyone who voted to elect him Battersea’s Purr Minister 2018 and he promises not to let anyone down.”
The shortlisted contenders who missed out on the esteemed title included:
- Boris, submitted by Rt. Hon. Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington;
- Poppy, submitted by Jack Brereton, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South;
- Scamp, submitted by David Drew, MP for Stroud;
- Parsnip, submitted by Mark Spencer, MP for Sherwood; and
- Charlie, submitted by Neil Parish, MP for Tiverton and Honiton
For the first time the competition also included two Battersea cats on the hunt for a new home, endorsed by Steve Reed MP (Croydon North) and Sue Hayman MP (Workington). Happily, Timmy has since found a home; however Ozzie is still looking for a home and would welcome the chance to meet his new owner.
Rob Young, Head of Catteries at Battersea, said: “Massive congratulations to the newly elected Purr Minister, Alfie. This whiskered winner did a meow-vellous job campaigning for greater cat pawlicies. We look forward to seeing him represent moggies across the country. We think he’s going to be purrfect.”
More information on Purr Minister 2018 can be found at www.battersea.org.uk/purr-minister-2018
