Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s cat winner of Battersea's Purr Minister competition

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.

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."

Proud owners submitted pictures of their feline friends alongside a 50-word 'manifursto' setting out why they should get their claws on the title and publicity prize.

Patrick 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.

Commenting on this year’s contest, Battersea’s Head of Catteries and Feline Welfare, Lindsey Quinlan, said they were 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," she said, "but the people have spoken and we are thrilled to name Patrick as the winner."

The shortlisted contenders who 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

Patrick will now follow in the steps of 2018's Purr Minister, Alfie, who won 34% of the popular vote. He was nominated by Anne Clwyd, the former MP for Cynon Valley.

A spokesman for Battersea said: "We 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!"

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here