MM Lee wraps up 2-day visit to London

[metalslug]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/433857/1/.html

MM Lee wraps up 2-day visit to London
By Channel NewsAsia'a Olly Barratt | Posted: 04 June 2009 1752 hrs

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LONDON: Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has wrapped up a two-day visit to London after talks with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Mr Lee was in the British capital at a time of domestic political uncertainty and growing pressure on the prime minister to step down.

Mr Lee arrived in London on Tuesday, but Wednesday was the day for serious discussions as he met first with Britain's Business Secretary Lord Mandelson in Westminster and then Prime Minister Brown.

At a time of global recession, the pair had much to discuss and Lord Mandelson said he was intending to pick the minister mentor's brain on a variety of subjects.

Lord Mandelson said: "About Singapore, about the world, what's going on, and where we're all going - he always gives me the greatest wisdom and I know today is not going to be an exception."

But Mr Lee's visit came as uncertainty engulfed Britain's Labour government, with some suggesting Prime Minister Brown may be forced to step down as cabinet ministers quit and the party's rating plunges in the polls.

Lord Mandelson admitted he would be explaining to the Minister Mentor Lee some of the difficulties being faced.

Lord Mandelson added: "I'll be saying that there is a crisis in our politics in Britain. It's developed into a perfect storm and there are many members of parliament and many ministers under huge pressure.

"It's a crisis not of the government and not of the Labour Party, but a crisis of our politics and we will get through it because our politics, our system, our institutions are very strong."

Mr Lee said he was hoping to hear how the British government planned to rescue itself from the problems facing it, and then it was on to Downing Street for talks with beleaguered Prime Minister Brown himself.

Mr Brown and Mr Lee exchanged views on global and regional development and discussed the importance of free trade to the world economy. - CNA/vm

 

[popdod]

Enjoy tour in london......nice.

:o :( :o

 

[myo539]

Enjoy tour in london......nice.:o :( :o

MM Lee is in UK to attend the Total International Advisory Council meeting. His flight fare and other related expenses are therefore paid by the Council.

Donch worry, he is not using Sporean taxpayers' money to chak hong. Indeed he made a side trip on an official business. Save money this way.

A man of his age still work so hard for his country. Lesser men of his age, wealth and position would have retired long ago to sit in front of the TV or play mahjong with kakis already.

 

[yansen84]

I'm surprised Brown has any time for this old fart, given the pressure he's facing over his leadership back home, what with the expenses scandal and the fallout with a couple of ministers quitting. Carrying China's balls is one thing, what has Britain have to gain from entertaining an old fart who's gonna kick the bucket in no time?

 

[kingrant]

MM Lee is in UK to attend the Total International Advisory Council meeting. His flight fare and other related expenses are therefore paid by the Council.

Donch worry, he is not using Sporean taxpayers' money to chak hong. Indeed he made a side trip on an official business. Save money this way.

A man of his age still work so hard for his country. Lesser men of his age, wealth and position would have retired long ago to sit in front of the TV or play mahjong with kakis already.

How you know he's not using taxpayers' money hah? He told you ah?

What's his business how UK govt deals with the crisis? He shld be telling us how is his son's govt dealing with the GIC/Temasek losses, the loss of people's confidence in his son's govt, how we go forward when his economic model has kaput?

You PAP spokesman is it? Or what they call "running dog"?