New Zealand hits the headlines overseas as the PM changes. John Key resigned unexpectedly last week despite his high approval rating.
Apparently he wanted to go out at the top at a time of his making and there were family considerations.
Bill is well known in the St Pat’s Town circle – a regular at the Big Boy’s Breakfast and parents’ evening!
So it makes new in the Telegraph:
Bill English elected to replace New Zealand prime minister John Key
New Zealand’s ruling National Party appointed Bill English as the country’s new prime minister on Monday following last week’s shock resignation of his predecessor John Key.
The centre-right National Party caucus met to confirm the decision on Monday morning with Mr English to be officially sworn in at Government House in Wellington later in the day.
Mr English, 54, was Mr Key’s preferred candidate to succeed him after serving as finance minister and returning New Zealand’s budget to surplus. But critics say the 54-year-old lacks the charisma needed for the top job. Mr English has previously led his party, taking them to a big defeat in the 2002 election.
A farmer with degrees in commerce and literature, he has been in parliament since 1990 and was previously leader of the National Party in 2002 when it suffered its worst election defeat.
