Jag hittade en intressant funktion på New Statemans hemsida. Den heter Your Democracy och där kan man bland annat söka på olika debattämnen i det brittiska underhuset från början av 1800-talet och framåt. Jag skrev in sökordet ”Sweden” och fick fram en mängd roliga replikväxlingar från skilda år. Här är några exempel:
Den 23 maj 1873 ställdes en fråga till regeringen angående den brittiska närvaron vid kröningen av Sveriges och Norges konung:
MR. RAIKES asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is the fact that Her Majesty was alone among European Sovereigns unrepresented by a special Ambassador or Envoy at the recent Coronation of the King of Sweden and Norway; and, whether he can state the reasons which have induced Her Majesty’s Government to advise on this occasion a course different from that followed at the accession of the present Emperor of Russia and other Sovereigns?
VISCOUNT ENFIELD : Sir, in matters of international etiquette and of Court ceremonials, it is usual to follow precedents, and this year the same usage was adopted on the occasion of the coronation of the King of Sweden, as was followed in 1844 and 1860, when on the coronation of two Kings of Sweden letters of congratulation were addressed by Her Majesty to those Sovereigns. On this occasion other Powers besides Great Britain were not represented, and I trust the House will not think that in following these precedents there could have been anything to impair the friendship and good understanding which so happily exists between Great Britain and Sweden. I speak with reserve, but I believe it is likely that one of the sons of Her Majesty will be present at the coronation of the King in Norway in July next.
Den 13 februari 1919 var ledamoten överste Wedgwood oroad över ett besök av den svenske kronprinsen (senare Gustaf VI Adolf). Han ställde en fråga som ter sig rätt lustig eftersom kronprinsen var ingift i den brittiska aristokratin och knappast var känd för några tyska sympatier:
Colonel WEDGWOOD asked whether His Majesty’s Government were consulted as to the visit of the Crown Prince of Sweden to this country; and, if so, on what grounds it was sanctioned?
Mr. HARMSWORTH : The visit of the Crown Prince of Sweden on the present occasion is promoted exclusively by private family reasons, and has no official character; but it is welcome both to His Majesty’s Government and to the people of this country.
An HON. MEMBER : ”Is he not a pro-German?”
Mr. SPEAKER : Order, order!
Colonel WEDGWOOD : In view of the fact that the Royal Family of Sweden and the whole of the aristocracy there have been bitterly anti-English during the War—
Mr. SPEAKER : The hon. Member is speaking of a neutral and friendly country.
Kronprinsen med brittisk hustru
Den svenska neutraliteten återkom förstås som ämne under det andra världskriget. Så här lät det i underhuset den 9 juli 1941:
Mr. Mander asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make about the position of Sweden and Finland; and whether he will make it clear that in the final peace settlement the actions of those who have directly or indirectly assisted the enemy will be taken into account?
Mr. Eden : I have at present nothing to add to the answers which I gave to Questions last week on the subject of our relations with Sweden and Finland.
Mr. Mander : Will the right hon. Gentleman not make it perfectly clear that people cannot have it both ways, and that at the peace settlement we shall remember those who have been our friends and not forget those who have lined up with the enemy?
Mr. Eden : I think it is a good rule to deal with the future when that time comes.
Man måste säga att Anthony Edens sista mening var ett mycket klokt och väl genomtänkt politiskt ställningstagande.
Den 7 mars 1980 debatterades frågan om obligatorisk användning av säkerhetsbälten i bilar. Många hänvisade till de goda erfarenheterna från Sverige, där vi redan tidigare hade bilbältestvång, medan andra såg den föreslagna lagstiftningen som ett ingrepp i den personliga friheten. Till dem hörde den konservativa ledamoten Ray Whitney:
From 1932 until only a few years ago, Sweden lived under a Socialist Government and became immersed in what might be called nannyist legislation and nannyist attitudes of all kinds—the sort of attitudes that are reflected in this Bill. Forty-five years of that legislation, solidly, without a break, has impinged deeply on the political and social conciousness of Sweden and the Swedes. Happily, we are a long way down the road. We have not yet reached that stage. Now, after 3 May last year, we are embarked on a course back to freedom. It would be inappropriate suddenly to veer off in this one sector of our life in the wrong direction, and follow the Swedish road. The Swedes themselves have seen the folly of their ways. In the last two elections, they have rejected the opportunities offered to them of Social Democratic or Socialist Governments.
Socialistiskt tvångsbälte?
Pröva själv med egna sökord på denna förträffliga sajt. Det finns många underbara meningsutbyten i ”The Mother of all Parliaments”.
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