He served during the premierships of four prime ministers: Edward Heath, Harold Wilson,[note 1] James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher.

Wilberforce was an eight-week-old white tabby kitten when adopted from the Hounslow branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1973.

[1] He was appointed the Downing Street office manager's cat to deal with a mouse infestation, and given a living allowance.

[1] According to Bernard Ingham, the former Downing Street press secretary, the prime minister Margaret Thatcher once bought Wilberforce "a tin of sardines in a Moscow supermarket",[3] because, according to The Daily Telegraph, "there was nothing else to buy".

[5] Harold Wilson, who had been "extremely fond" of Wilberforce,[1] expressed his regrets; James Callaghan's wife Audrey was reportedly "shocked".