Enjoy the joke before the 'Dear John' punchline ...

Key might as well enjoy the adulation while he can get it. Photo / Herald on Sunday

As far as anyone can tell, John Key does not drink copious amounts of French Cognac, has never claimed to have shot 38 under par including five holes-in-one, and definitely does not have a nuclear weapons programme.

So why were the Prime Minister's Cabinet colleagues falling over one another at National's weekend conference to address Key as "Dear Leader" - the moniker applied to Kim Jong-Il, North Korea's slightly-loopy dictator?

Was it thanks for his keeping National's poll ratings in such rude good health? Or was it a tongue-in-cheek reminder to Key that while his personal ratings may be sky-high, he must keep his feet firmly on the ground?

Probably a bit of both.

Key said that on his recent return from South Korea, his deputy, Bill English, had told him, "Don't worry, from now on we will refer to you as Dear Leader."

"Excellent, excellent," the PM added.

In his speech, English picked up the theme, saying Key had gained a liking for walking on red carpet and was off to The Warehouse to get some in time for today's Cabinet meeting.

Gerry Brownlee was next, acknowledging the Prime Minister's presence before adding "Dear Leader" with an audible sigh.

Paula Bennett went one better, referring to Key as "Great Leader", the title accorded to Kim's late father, Kim Il-Sung.

Key might as well enjoy the adulation while he can get it. One day - as is the fate of all leaders - the "Dear Leader" will get a "Dear John" letter from his caucus.