The streets of London are paved with gold for US Presidential candidates

Rudy Giuliani has arrived in London.  On Sunday I noted the 'Thatcher factor' behind his visit.

In addition to 'Maggie' I understand that New York's former Mayor will also be meeting Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and Conservative leader David Cameron.  He's probably the only candidate in the Republican primary field who can win such cross-party attention.

But it's not all summitry.  A key reason for Giuliani's visit is to extract money from the wealthy and growing American population that can be found in London.  Huge numbers of American businessmen and firms operate in London - the numbers have allegedly been swollen by people escaping the regulatory insensitivity of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.  Some London politicians have suggested that a statue of Senator Sarbanes and Representative Oxley be erected in the booming Docklands area of Britain's capital city as a cheeky thank you for the business that (disputedly) has migrated across the Atlantic as a consequence of their lawmaking.

Mayor Giuliani isn't the only presidential candidate to have travelled to the British Isles in search of campaign funds.  Romney and Thompson have already been here.  As I learnt during a discussion last night with National Public Radio, Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton will also be attending fundraisers on this side of the pond in the next few months.

I'm attending tonight's Atlantic Bridge Margaret Thatcher lecture and will file a report immediately afterwards (about 11pm UK time, 6pm ET).

4pm: Video of Rudy Giuliani on his London visit - outside 10 Downing Street

Comments

[Donal Blaney]

A chance to see whether your views accord with those of Giuliani, Thompson, Romney, Obama or Clinton:

http://ybfblog.wordpress.com/2007/09/19/fun-quiz-who-do-you-support-for-president/

[Richard Lowe]

http://www.vajoe.com/candidate_calculator.html

Easier, and more direct link

[Kevin]

Mitt Romney has not been to Britain.

[Tim Montgomerie]

If I'm wrong I apologise Kevin but I certainly remember a visit being scheduled for last year.

[Kevin]

His campaign has never boasted he visited. He was suppose to visit a Republicans Abroad function in the early summer/late spring while returning from a conference in Israel, but he cancelled.

[Welsh Unionist Tory]

Could you give info on the NPR programme?