Catmando facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Catmando
Catmando and Howling Laud Hope
Leader of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party
In office 1999 – 2002 † Serving with Howling Laud Hope
Preceded by	Screaming Lord Sutch
Personal details
Born	1995 Mytchett, Surrey, England
Died	2002 (aged 7)
Political party	Official Monster Raving Loony Party

Catmando (born 1995, died 2002), sometimes spelled "Cat Mandu", was a very special cat from the United Kingdom. He was also a politician! From 1999 to 2002, Catmando was the joint leader of a British political group called the Official Monster Raving Loony Party (OMRLP). He shared this important job with his owner, Howling Laud Hope. Catmando is famous for being the only cat ever to lead a political party.

Catmando's Political Journey

After the party's founder, Screaming Lord Sutch, passed away in 1999, the OMRLP needed a new leader. There were only two candidates: Alan "Howling Laud" Hope, who was already the party's chairman, and Catmando.

How Catmando Became a Leader

When the votes were counted, it was a tie! Both Hope and Catmando received 125 votes each. Since Hope was the party chairman, he had the final say. He decided that he and Catmando would be joint leaders. This meant they would lead the party together.

Big Election Success

As a joint leader, Catmando helped the OMRLP achieve its best election results ever. In the 2001 general election, the party had 15 candidates running for office. This was a big step for the OMRLP.

The End of His Term

Catmando served as joint leader until July 2002. Sadly, he died in a traffic accident. After his death, Howling Laud Hope became the party's only leader. Following Catmando's passing, the party even suggested that there should be special "cat-crossings" on all major roads to keep animals safe.

How Catmando Got His Unique Name

Catmando wasn't always called Catmando. His first name was "Catman". His name changed because of a funny moment at a pub.

The Pub Story

Catman's owner, Howling Laud Hope, owned a pub and guesthouse called the Golden Lion in Ashburton, Devon. One day, a customer asked a music question that Hope couldn't answer. The customer joked, "I bet Catman do [know the answer]." From that day on, "Catman" became "Catmando".

A Name That Traveled Far

Later, Catmando moved with Hope to another pub in Yateley, Hampshire. Nearby, Gurkha soldiers from Nepal were stationed. They noticed Catmando's name sounded just like their capital city, Kathmandu! This made the cat so interesting that he was featured on the front page of the Nepali Times newspaper.

Even though "Cat Mandu" became a common spelling in the news, Hope confirmed that "Catmando" is the correct way to spell his name. The OMRLP even has a playful rule that no other cat should be named "Catmando," because there can only be one!