Key dumped from BBC climate change debate

BY DAVID WILLIAMS IN COPENHAGEN
Last updated 07:54 17/12/2009
0 of 0

Related Links

Chaos at climate talks $200m pledged for agriculture research Dismay as Mugabe comes to Copenhagen US changes stall Copenhagen negotiations Danish PM in Copenhagen summit switch Confident Key heads to Copenhagen Binding Copenhagen agreement unlikely - Key

Relevant offers

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has been embarrassingly dumped from a climate change debate by the BBC.

In a move that may stoke trans-Tasman rivalries, Key has been elbowed out of the BBC World "Greatest Debate on Earth" on Thursday by his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd.

The debate in Copenhagen's New Concert Hall will include Mexican President Felipe Calderon and South Africa's Jacob Zuma, before an audience of 1000 people.

The BBC World News service, the British state broadcaster's 24-hour international TV news channel, attracts 74 million viewers a week and is broadcast in more than 200 countries.

A spokesman for Key said the Prime Minister's office was told on Wednesday on arriving in London.

"The decision's disappointing - the BBC had confirmed the Prime Minister would be taking part. Today they decided to change that."

It was the BBC that initially offered the spot to New Zealand.

The spokesman said Key's office was told why the BBC made the decision but preferred it came from the British state broadcaster.

Trade Minister Tim Groser said it was an unfortunate development, but little could be done about it.

"It's a bit disappointing, but that's the way the world works," he told Radio New Zealand this morning.

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".

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

Greenpeace political advisor Geoff Keey said the dumping was a "bit of a knock back".

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 (New Zealand) simply not seen as a player."

Key arrives in Denmark on Thursday and will attend a royal banquet later that night.

The debate will be aired at 2010 GMT on Thursday (9.10am Friday New Zealand time).

Ad Feedback

- © Fairfax NZ News

173 comments
Post a comment
SteveR   #173   05:34 pm Dec 19 2009

What? Key is now a spokesman for climate change? A few days ago he didn't even want to go. He only changed his mind when he found out Obama was going. The only thing embarrassing is NZ's climate policy and the only thing more embarrassing is Key's ego.

Embarassed Aussie   #172   01:54 am Dec 18 2009

TO THE PEOPLE OF NZ

The people of Australia Apologies. We have had enough of the Fascist Tyrant that is Kevin Rude. He is a Socialist Dictator that has sold out Australia committing Treason to earn his points to get a job on the UN Security Council. There is big changes happening in Australia, the people are fed up.

Did you know that An Australian Farmer named PETER SPENCER is on his 35th Day of his HUNGER STRIKE in Protest against Kevin Rudd's Fabian Socialist AGENDA 21, LULU_CF Land Locking Farmers Land without compensation! If this Bloke Dies RUDD with have BLOOD on his hands.

Please google Peter Spencer, who has not eaten for 35 days, is on a platform 18 metres above the ground attached to a wind mast on his Shannons Flat property, near Cooma in south-east New South Wales.

Paul van Dinther   #171   11:01 pm Dec 17 2009

Wow, dodged the bullet indeed. Glad this idiot Key doesn't appear on the BBC programme as I doubt that he would denounce GW as the scam that it is.

First Key says he won't go to Copenhagen, Then he manages to push the ETS scam through and suddenly he will go to Copenhagen to play the big man on a BBC debate. What a media slut.

Fantastic that he got bumped. Get real Key, you idiot.

Roger K   #170   09:45 pm Dec 17 2009

What a bunch of emotional brainless no hopers there are out there. Can you read, don't you think or reason? Global warming alarmism is dead, read the emails from Uni of East Anglia. There are even people bemoaning the lack of Helen Clark. Well the Wicked Witch of the South is there prowling the corridors of Copenhagen, sucking the blood of unwatchful neo-cons and slicing the throats of rebellious socialists.

Trevor   #169   09:35 pm Dec 17 2009

Is it to late for Keisha to go. Who should stick to acting NOW Mr key

Eldee   #168   08:58 pm Dec 17 2009

I would like to agree with winemaker#142. Mr Key's is seen by the world to represents the views of the New Zealand population. While small, New Zealand has a lot to be proud off. This would have given you another platform to influence world decision making on a much greater scale.

Colin   #167   07:40 pm Dec 17 2009

One day we all look back on this sorry little episode and realise how silly we were. Instead we will thankful for the optimal growing conditions generated by higher co2 and temperature levels.

Matt   #166   07:30 pm Dec 17 2009

My guess is that Two-Term John is relaxed about it. There'll be another photo-op along in a while. I'm surprised at the BBC passing up the opportunity to ridicule a lightweight though.

jabba   #165   07:09 pm Dec 17 2009

in fact .. all you lot slagging off John Key should get your heads out of your bottoms and get real .. he/we ARE small players in a country when lefties and greens want to stuff our country in an effort to be world leaders ala Helen freaking Clark

jabba   #164   07:02 pm Dec 17 2009

steven .. we have increased our greenhouse gases over the last 9 very long years and John Key has been given a hospital pass to fix it. Labour and it's supporter (yep singular) should be ashamed.


Show 114-163 of 173 comments

Post comment


Required

Required. Will not be published.
Registration is not required to post a comment but if you , you will not have to enter your details each time you comment. Registered members also have access to extra features. Create an account now.


Maximum of 1750 characters (about 300 words)

I have read and accepted the terms and conditions
These comments are moderated. Your comment, if approved, may not appear immediately. Please direct any queries about comment moderation to the Opinion Editor at blogs@stuff.co.nz
Special offers
Opinion poll

How prepared is Wellington for a major quake?

Not prepared at all

Barely prepared

Reasonably prepared

Well prepared

Vote Result

Related story: Wellington earthquake fear: No way in or out

Featured Promotions

Sponsored Content

Car Club small pointer

The Car Club blog: Powered by Autocar NZ

Throttle that gas pedal for economy

Omnivore blog pointer small

The Omnivore: Jeremy Taylor on food

How do you find food that you'll like?

David Farrar blog pointer small

By the Numbers: David Farrar watches the polls

Mallard's tickets: it's not a good look

The Whip blog pointer small

Andrea Vance and John Hartevelt on politics

A rough job for English's asset sales