Cameron meets John Key

David Cameron has met up with New Zealand National Party leader John Key. It's actually the third time they've met, they were introduced to eachother when they were both up-and-coming backbenchers. Commenting on the comparisons often drawn between the two men, Key said:

"I think there are a reasonable number of similarities – we are both centrist in our thinking, both ambitious for our respective countries to make a change and to deliver on the promise that our respective countries have."

They were both new kids on the block when elected leader too. Key said Cameron wanted to cultivate their relationship:

"He's quite keen to build a lasting personal relationship, he's got some ideas about things – how we can exchange ideas and stay in touch – and that's something I am certainly going to work on. We're really starting a good personal relationship which I think can serve us both well into the future."

Cameron recently forged a strong partnership with Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, and there were a record number of international delegates at this year's conference as a result of the efforts of CCHQ's International Office (they certainly filled up our own reception!). As a keen advocate of developing active relationships with sister parties ConservativeHome warmly welcomes these developments. Next step please: Cameron to finally visit Washington DC.

The National Party are in a similar position to the Conservatives in that they are both in opposition facing a third-term government of the Left. The Nationals have sustained a double-digit opinion poll lead since the spring.

I spent a couple of days meeting them in Wellington last summer and they are a great bunch. For those wanting to keep tabs on Kiwi politics, I recommend David Farrar's Kiwi Blog.

Deputy Editor

Comments

[Pisaboy]

It is good to see the party making progress with this but I agree that the most important relationship hasn't been cultivated yet i.e. GOP-TOry!
Why didn't DC stop over at DC (hoho) on his way to California last week?

[Paul D]

The GOP is unpopular at the moment (in the US, UK, globally), perhaps it's prudent to wait until after the next Presidential Elections before cultivating a relationship again - especially given how Michael Howard and others have upset the current incumbent

[Steevo]

Since the GOP is unpopular at the moment, NZ couldn't be a better alternative. I know fellow Americans who've been there and have loved the country but have left in disgust. You won't find 1 positive word about America - anything American - from their media, and it does appear an overwhelming percentage of the citizens on their islands over a 1000 miles away from the rest of the world, enjoy it. Some of the most convinced self-esteem bigotry in a democracy. I'm not even sure Greece beats them.

And Paul, its hard to tell if the GOP is any more unpopular at the moment than the Dems here. Bush's approval rating is around 30% and Congress is at 11%.

[Alexander Drake]

I share some sympathy with Steevo's remarks. The best thing DC could do would be to actively persuade a Key government to return to bearing their responsibilities in the Western alliance and returning to ANZUS...

I seem to recall reading that the UK has largely sub-contracted its South Pacific interests (such as they are now) to NZ so it's worth this sort of message coming from a British politician to a NZ one.

[Umbrella man]

Good point, Sam, about the need for Cameron to visit DC.

It's been too long.

[francis]

Not really a comment, just letting you know that johnkeymp.co.nz is John's electorate website. His "real" website is johnkey.co.nz

Good coverage!

[francis]

by the way, can I use your image of the two men sitting down for our Flickr account and for the National website? I'm the web editor for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and we met briefly while you were here.

[Bantwal Srinivas Pradeep]

Dear Hon.John Key,

Just can you please pass this on to the prime minister of NZ -Helen Clark for me. We are living in danger.

“New Zealand Night Shelters Prove Dangerous”.

Question: “What do New Zealand Night Shelters and Dental Caries have in

common ?

Answer: “They both prove dangerous to one’s teeth !”

Just ask Mr. Pradeep of Bangalore, India. For he can attest to the fact first hand. For one thing he never counted on when leaving his native India for New Zealand was loss of teeth through an assault carried out at one of its night shelters. Yet that is exactly what happened in November,2006. Mr. Pradeep through no fault of his own, was directed to a night shelter by the Honorable Prime Minister’s Office in Mt. Eden, Auckland.

Now, ordinarily, these night shelters are not to consist of violent minded persons. Yet unfortunately for Mr. Pradeep and fortunately for Dentistry he was assaulted at 38, Airedale Street, Auckland Night Shelter. An assaulting which resulted in the loss of an upper tooth.(Which as of now has not been replaced).

You know, it occurs to me, that New Zealand, to all would be migrants, is considered a land of Kiwis, Maoris, milk and honey. Yet in the light of Mr. Pradeep November 2006 assault, perhaps there should be an addition to the above representation. A more truthful addition. Perhaps instead, New Zealand should be considered not only a land of milk and honey, Maori’s, and Kiwis, But a land where, additionally, organized Government sponsored assaults occur in their night shelters upon innocent residents such as Mr. Pradeep.

Furthermore, the above article chronicles just one case – that of Mr. Pradeep, A man who came to New Zealand and placed his trust in the Government. A trust which wound up costing him not only the previously mentioned tooth, but also his business, his assets like car, finance, health, Etc. Not to mention that the assault upon him was a clear violation of the Bi-lateral Agreement between New Zealand and India which ensures safety and dignity thereof for all Indian migrants. As has happened so much before in her long history,

Page: 2

America has become once again a haven of hope for the desperate.

Mr. Pradeep joins the long line of those who preceded him in coming to America after discovering that life in his former country was intolerable. In his case New Zealand, under it’s present Government. It is not even so much New Zealand who is to blame, but her incompetent and very negligent Governmental governance. “A Government which is giving New Zealand a black eye.”

In conclusion, Mr. Pradeep’s losses demands, not asks, demands an answer to his question. That question being: when will the government of New Zealand going to right her wrongs and pay him in full for all the losses it incurred on his part ? !

___________________________________________________________

Incidentally, Mr. Pradeep is open to any and all inquiries concerning this matter. Please feel free to contact him via e-mail , telephone or post :

[email protected]

Phone: 1-916 723 0329.

10 -11 PM (USA Time)

06 - 07 PM (NZ Time).

Address:

7761, Greenback Lane, # 68,

Spring Creek Apartment Homes,

Citrus Heights, CA. USA – 95610.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

[free dental care]

hello friends thanks for the information! I want to know if I can use "Free dental care"
help me !!!

[Shox NZ,]

After a certain point, she became impassive, detached utterly from him