When Rachel Reeves presented the Autumn Budget this afternoon, it was clear that not everyone in the House of Commons was giving it their full attention.
Golden Retriever Jennie, owned by Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling, was seen sleeping peacefully as the Chancellor delivered the Labor budget on Wednesday, leaving fans of the guide dog hysterical.
As the UK listened to the budget announcement and Reeves’ announcements were met with cheers and boos in the house, the golden dog was photographed lying on her side, unconsciously taking a nap.
Meanwhile, MPs listened intently as the chancellor delivered Labour’s debut budget, which included tax rises worth £40bn and a £22.6bn investment in the NHS and schools.
However, Jennie seemed unfazed during the 77-minute speech, too busy catching up on sleep to follow the long-awaited budget reveal.
Golden Retriever Jennie, owned by MP Steve Darling, was seen sleeping soundly as Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the budget in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
The golden pup, who is a service dog, was photographed from the side while taking a well-deserved break.
The Common’s canine caught the attention of fans watching at home, with dozens left in hysterics after noticing Jennie lying on the ground.
One adoring fan wrote: ‘Rt Hon Jennie is the identifiable figure we have been waiting for in Parliament. It completely crashed while people were talking numbers.
“That’s my Prime Minister,” they added warmly.
A second wrote: “I would go to a PMQ just to see the Right Honorable Jennie.”
A third simply wrote of the dog: “Best thing there.”
Jennie, who belongs to the Liberal Democrat Steve Darling, and has previously been dubbed the ‘best politician in parliament’ after winning hearts thanks to adorable photos of her online.
Darling was elected MP for Torbay, in the south of England, during the July election.
The Common’s canine caught the attention of fans watching at home, with dozens left in hysterics after noticing Jennie lying on the floor.
The Common’s canine caught the attention of fans watching at home, and many dozens hysterically took to social media.
Jennie, who belongs to Liberal Democrat Steve Darling, has previously been dubbed the “best politician in parliament” after winning hearts thanks to adorable photos of her online.
The Liberal Democrat caused an online storm when social media learned there would be a particularly cute new face in the Commons.
Darling, who is registered blind, shared photos of her service dog at the time, prompting social media users to say they would “die for her” and adding that she is “exactly what politics needs.”
Jennie’s X (formerly Twitter) account describes her as the “leader of the opposition.”
His account posted at the time of the general election: ‘Can’t wait to meet @Number10cat soon. “I have a feeling we’re going to be best friends,” read one tweet, referring to Larry, Downing Street’s resident cat and “Chief Mouser of the Cabinet Office.”
Jennie was also seen on the Liberal Democrats election campaign, sailing with the Disabled Sailing Association with leader Ed Davey and Darling in Torbay Harbour.
Darling himself has acknowledged the dog’s newfound fame, tweeting: “Those not from Torbay, here’s the Jennie content you’re all here for.” This morning before heading to the House of Commons and this afternoon after a busy day,” showing photos of her in the House of Commons.
Since becoming an honorary member of the House of Commons, Jennie has been seen skipping PMQs on several occasions.
A tweet last week revealed that the dog was sleeping soundly during Prime Minister’s Question Time, with its head resting comfortably on its paws.
They wrote: “Here’s @rthotjennie dreaming of being Opposition Leader in the Commons.”
Although it has been a difficult journey for the service animal, who, after surviving an attack by XL Bully last year, became embroiled in controversy during the general election after Darling was allegedly falsely accused of faking her blindness and use it for political purposes.
The attack, of the now banned breed, was reported to the police and Darling called on the Home Office to take tougher action.
Darling said at the time that it took him and three other people to move the XL Bully away from Jennie.
“Unfortunately, it went straight to the throat,” Darling told the BBC at the time.
“He ended up on the floor and screaming, something I never want to hear again in my life.” I ended up struggling with both dogs on the ground, there was no sign of the owner.
A tweet last week revealed that the dog was sleeping soundly during the Prime Minister’s Question Time, with its head resting comfortably on its paws.
Since becoming an honorary member of the House of Commons, Jennie has been seen jumping around at PMQs on several occasions.
Darling, who is registered blind, shared photos of herself, prompting social media users to say they would “die for her” and adding that she is “exactly what politics needs.”
The dog was also previously embroiled in controversy in Torbay, when a charity supposedly conservative activists accused Darling of using it for “political purposes”.
‘We ended up having four people trying to take the dog away from Jennie. “Then we managed to get Jennie behind a door while I lay on the ground on top of this dog to restrain him, and it was really quite traumatic.”
The dog was also previously embroiled in controversy in Torbay, when a charity alleged Conservative activists accused Darling of using it for “political purposes”.
Devon in Sight, a charity for the visually impaired, accused a Conservative caller of “stooping to an all-time low” by suggesting Darling is not actually blind.
The charity’s chief executive, Grahame Flynn, who employs Darling’s wife, who is also blind, said at the time: “With Steve Darling’s consent, I would like to confirm that he has been living with a rare genetic eye disease. that began in childhood.”
“My new favorite MP: Steve Darling’s guide dog Jennie,” said one Twitter user.
‘There’s a lot of talk about Whitehall’s resident cats, but I’m so excited we have a new guide dog in the Commons! “I’m sure Jennie will crush it,” said another.
“It’s not funny but I would die for Jennie the guide dog,” one person wrote.
“Beautiful addition,” said another.
‘Can we informally consider Jennie, Steve Darling’s guide dog, the 73rd MP? That or pressure the house authorities to give him a small security pass that goes on his harness?’ asked one Twitter user.
“Discovering Jennie the guide dog’s Twitter page is the best thing about this election,” said one.