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Key dumped from BBC's Greatest Debate on Earth

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Thu, 17 Dec 2009 6:31a.m.

John Key (file pic)

John Key (file pic)

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has been embarrassingly dumped form a debate on BBC, in favour of his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd. 

Mr Key was due to appear on the BBC World “Greatest Debate on Earth” on Thursday.

“The decision is disappointing,” a spokesman for Key told The Press.

“The BBC had confirmed the Prime Minister would be taking part… they decided to change that.”

It is understood the BBC initially offered the spot to New Zealand.

The dumping will be an embarrassment for Key, after Climate Change Minister Nick Smith, earlier this week, said the Prime Minister's inclusion was a "huge honour", The Press reported.

"Basically, what you're looking for is a non-European developed country that's seen to be constructive," Smith said.

The dumping was “a bit of a knock back”, said Greenpeace political advisor Geoff Keey. He thought Rudd’s role as a special negotiator in Copenhagen may have led to the Australian leader being preferred for the debate.

“Maybe we’re simply not seen as player,” Mr Keey said.

Mr Key will attend a royal banquet when he arrives on Thursday.

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Comments

18 Dec 2009 08:16a.m.

Kim wrote:

Well i guess that the BBC has realised what New Zealand hasn't, John Key has no real political substance.
When has this man ever had to rely on his political skills to guide this country. The real reason (in my opinion) he was dumped is he is a money manager who lied, slandered and generally rode a wave of anti labour into office. Once he got in he is running this country by throwing beads at the natives to gain thier vote to pass laws that will not only take health, education, and generally any other social programmes to a new low. They will eventually back fire on maori as well.
At least helen clarke had the balls to stand up to maori demands when they were plainly wrong.
Sorry i was getting a little off subject.
The plain truth of this matter is that they want someone that can contribute to a debate not someone with a s**teating grin and no substance.

17 Dec 2009 04:47p.m.

Bill wrote:

Replace one patsy with another one. They are both weak kneed Prime Ministers. This will not be a debate, it will be a yes fest.

17 Dec 2009 03:21p.m.

Deane wrote:

This is bad for New Zealand. Not good, as once we were in the front stage leading the way in climate change.

His whole attitude, not going, then going has offended a lot of overseas interests.

Really this shows how ineffectual Nick Smith is, and how JK is not regarded as a leader, but more of a joker. Perhaps he needs to stop clowning around and attending talk shows and start acting like a PM.

17 Dec 2009 01:00p.m.

D wrote:

LOL finally the BBC gets a little taste and decides not to lower its standards that far.

17 Dec 2009 11:50a.m.

cherie wrote:

I am glad.
It's all "the boys" and who wants to be aprt of that.

17 Dec 2009 08:05a.m.

V wrote:

The great mass debate. Don't you just love the fraudulent use of words like "debate" when all sides agree on the "Fraud" the only thing they can't get right is how much they can screw out of the TAX payers!. Now Rudd can't even say he represents his own countries democratic decisions on ETC but he's great at spouting eugenics rhetoric and he wrote part of the 'secret document' that screws the third world!.