Sommartal by Jan Björklund (Liberal) in Gothenburg August 3, 2014

The spoken word applies.

Vera Sandberg had big dreams for the future. Her dream was to become an engineer. But there was an obstacle in the way - Vera was born a woman.
At the turn of the century was the engineer always a man. But Vera changed that. For a hundred years ago believed she Chalmers University in Gothenburg. She is the only woman among 500 men. Vera will be Sweden's first female engineer. That was before women got the vote.
At the same time as Vera takes his graduation born Irene Åström. Already at age six, she decides to become a police officer. It is not easy for a woman born a hundred years ago, but Irene is one of Sweden's first female police officers.
The year is 1938. When Astrid Kindstrand reads the news on the radio, many listeners who puts morning coffee in his windpipe. Astrid causing a public outcry against the then Radio Service. She is the first woman news anchor.
Vera, Irene and Astrid. Three women. Three dreams. Three pioneers.
They broke new ground. In their time focused gender struggle that women would have the same rights as men. Today it is about that women should have the same opportunities.
For although it is natural for young women growing up in Sweden today to get to go to university; to become an engineer, police or news commentators, as is the possibility for those in employment the same as for young men. Equivalent courses provide different wages.
For it is when young women in the next step will enter the labor market as traditional structures strikes. When employers and businesses to invest in young talent for the future, so choose the Remove skilled women. The reason is that many employers expect that women will not go as hard at work as men, and be away for long periods from work, when the family is to be formed.
Three quarters of parental ethylene levied by men and women vabbar more. To simultaneously fight their way in a tough labor market is a delicate task.
This is a great loss of skills for Sweden, that many talented young women are deselected. Should we get a more gender-equal labor must parenthood is shared more equally in future generations.
The Liberal Party today presents a proposal for a reform of family policy to be implemented during the coming electoral period. The reform consists of two parts; for the first additional earmarked month, so parental insurance 13 months tied three to the father and the mother of three, rather than two as at present. The other seven months of benefits parents themselves between them.
But to give clear incentives to allocate also other months more equal, we want Biffa gender equality bonus. It was introduced by the alliance government but so far have been too small and too complicated designed. We propose today a doubling of gender equality bonus, which then paid with SEK 6,000 tax free per month, in addition to the income you get from the parental insurance.
Our assessment is that such a reform would give a strong upward impact in terms of gender-equal use of parental leave. An important aim is to increase young women's opportunities when they come out of a tough job market.
Women should not only have the same rights to education as men, women must have equal opportunities when it comes to jobs, careers and incomes as men. The proposal will be an important part of the election manifesto, the Liberal Party put forward for over a week.
Social liberals have feminist initiatives throughout the 1900s, and we will do so in future too.
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That women and men should have equal opportunities for jobs and wages, must not be confused with that all individuals should earn equal. Keep in mind that it is so controversial in Sweden say that it is actually alright to people earning different. I think it is reasonable, and even desirable, to specialist nurses earn more than the nurse and the nurse earns more than the nurse. Education must pay off! Socialists call it gaps to be fought, but the pay gap is important to dare to invest and further training. Today it is not always profitable. For a nurse takes an average of nearly two decades to earn their continuing education. Some do not even before they retire. On the engineering industry with verkstasarbetare, foremen and engineers, however, it is obvious the gender pay gap.
Hold your hat; for now I'll say something controversial;
It must pay to study in Sweden, even in occupations dominated by women
We have started with the teachers. When the schools will soon start it all over 14,000 teachers who receive SEK 5 000 more in the pay packet every month. Not by local authority employers. But through a reform of the Ministry of Education. We are already seeing more young people choose to become teachers. I envisage that the reform is being expanded and the number of first teachers to double within a few years.
A feather in the cap I want to give the two teachers' unions. It is not always easy to defend that some colleagues in a workplace should have higher wages than others. A group of social-democratic municipalities refuse to raise wages, because they believe this is unequally.
From the Liberal Party, we think more academic groups in the next step should be subject to such careers, such as school teachers and nurses with specialist focus.
Female graduates should not have to defend that they are worth a higher salary!
We will both break glass roof and throw out Jante at the same time!
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It is no coincidence that the most economically developed countries in the world are also the most equal. Equality has gone hand in hand with economic growth.
Imagine Sweden at the turn of the century. Without kindergartens, homes for the elderly and the municipal home. Where women took care of both the children and old parents. A country where electricity was a luxury and a rare luxury. Where women hand they performed chores like washing machines and dishwashers are today.
It was the expansion of kindergartens, schools, elderly care and health care that allowed women into the labor market.
Economic growth is the foundation of freedom revolution for women in Sweden.
The Green Party, Left Party and the Feminist Initiative now goes to the polls on emerging critical message. While they believe more in crop failure than growth so they have the nerve to stand and pledge welfare initiatives at everything and everybody. Higher wages and pensions. Increased contributions. Shorter working hours and more time off. Everyone should get everything in a left-economy without growth.
Anti Emerging Romanticism has become its own ideology kittar together the Swedish left. It is an insult to all those women and men who then industrialism days toiled to raise Sweden's prosperity. It is a mockery of all the women who have had more of freedom thanks to our social welfare.
You can not go to the polls on an anti-growth policies while calling themselves feminist. When the social welfare demolished, destroyed equality with it. Left Bloc economic policy is one big trap for women.
Three of the four rödgrönrosa parties have no idea how money is created. They are only focused on how the money is allocated. They all seem to have the same attitude as Schyman; the money will be burned!
This is why Sweden needs liberal feminism - without socialism!
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The world is not what it should be. Syria. Iraq. Gaza. Every day we see the tragic pictures from the Middle East. Hamas shoots rockets with explosives against Israeli cities. Israel has right to defend itself. At the same time provoking Israel by continuing to build settlements in the West Bank, in violation of international law. There is only one long-term solution to this conflict; Hamas lay down their arms and a Palestinian state may be established alongside Israel, but not in place of Israel. Two states alongside one another in peace with each other.
In the wake of the Gaza war increases anti-Semitism throughout Europe. Synagogues attacked. Jews are swastikas painted on their doors. It is completely unacceptable.
The freedom and security we take for granted suddenly perceived as a threat. We must remind ourselves of where we got it.
Throughout the 1900s was one long struggle for freedom. Valuation conflicts followed one another. Liberalism stood against Nazism and communism. Democratic against dictatorship. Freedom to unfreedom.
Generations of Europeans share stories. There are stories of broken dreams. Countless dismissal. Death and suffering. And of a Europe in decay.
Today, 100 years ago Germany declared war on France. On August 3, 1914. Humanity First World War was a fact. Along the western front were millions of soldiers stupa - right in the heart of our continent.
Western Front became the contemporary symbol of European division. Today, the same place the symbol of a united Europe. It is no coincidence that the European Union was born there in the war cemeteries is thickest.
Freedom does not come by itself - it is built in alliance with other democratic states.
That is why we Liberals say yes to European co-operation!
We are proud to Sweden on Thursday nominated one of our ablest liberal politicians to an additional five years as Swedish EU Commissioner; Cecilia Malmström!
Cecilia works hard for a solidarity-based refugee policy in Europe. Her struggle is needed more than ever. Xenophobic parties are growing. It called for closed borders. It called for less international cooperation.
Sweden Democrats, want Sweden to build walls. Closes doors. And segregate.
The fight for democratic values ​​is never as important as when they are threatened the most. And it is then that the need for us liberals is greatest.
We will never give in!
Sweden will be open! Sweden should be tolerant!
Even our children and grandchildren to live in freedom and democracy!
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She lies in a clearing with his face to the ground. She was heading on vacation, but her trip ended in the wreckage of a downed airliner. The girl is not more than five years old.
A pink children's book, some stickers, a cuddly toys are scattered among the wreckage. Innocent children has just been killed in a terrorist act. In Europe in 2014.
Putin supports Russian separatists in Ukraine. It is obvious that he does not use his influence to quickly put an end to the conflict. Instead, he chooses to destabilize the country further.
Russia becoming more authoritative. Press freedom curtailed. LGBTQ rights discouraged. At the same time prepares the country militarily. The development is a threat even against us. It's actually closer to Sweden and Russia than between Gothenburg and Stockholm. Russia's action confirms the necessity of a stronger Swedish defense.
It was the Ukrainian people's desire to Europe, liberalism, which triggered Putin's wrath. I was Sweden's representative when the elected president Porosjenko installed into office in early June in Kiev. The applause was strongest when he said that Ukraine wants to belong to the EU. Our message to Mr Putin should be crystal clear;
Ukraine is welcome in European cooperation!
Ukraine is part of Europe!
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The vision for us Liberals, a society based on justice, equality and individual freedom. Through a strong welfare state; a school with a focus on knowledge, a tax-financed health care for the elderly and well-functioning social safety net created equal opportunities.
But it can not credibly talk about welfare initiatives without accounting policies for economic growth. The election on September 14 is a referendum on the future of the welfare state. A policy to succeed, get both the economy and the people to grow. Just as Sweden remain a welfare state in the future.
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"Sweden is a much better country to power company in". So says the Norwegian company manager Per Braathens, in the newspaper Dagens Industri. He is the owner of the travel agency group that owns the airline Malmö Aviation. He just moved his entire group from Norway to Sweden. The high taxes in Norway became an obstacle for the company to develop.
It was the same taxes that drove both IKEA that Ingvar Kamprad from Sweden.
The rödgrönrosa now goes to the polls on raising taxes.
After eight years of a red-green government in Norway emigrates Per Braathens with his group. After eight years with Alliance Government of Sweden is where he moves.
In Norway, one can argue that inequality decreases when Braathens moving to Sweden, this increases the statistical divide. But at the same time, we get more tax payers and more growth.
The red-green should go on field trips to Greece. Which actually has economic equality has increased and inequality declined in the wake of the crisis. Many business owners who used to be successful, namely gone bankrupt. More unemployed. Schools closed. Welfare is on its knees. More Greeks earn as little. But they are in any case more equal.
Socialists applaud when successful entrepreneurs emigrating - for then reduce the economic gaps.
Liberals applaud when successful business immigrants - because it means more prosperity for all.
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Swedish labor law needs to be modernized. Socialists always put the employee's security in contrast to the companies the opportunity to develop. But security can be combined with flexibility. A social liberal labor market characterized by low threshold, high mobility and strong security. Therefore LAS based on competence and not just seniority, while protection of the individual is strengthened through compulsory unemployment insurance.
For Sweden to remain a welfare nation needed nuclear power. Both for jobs and for the climate.
For the enterprise, it is also important that the RUT deduction is left. It has created thousands of new jobs and made a black professional whitening.
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- "In the beginning, I think we can have a little less pay. It pushes itself if it gets higher pay the longer you work." I think Vendela who go on Trade Programme. I agree with her. High starting salaries and poor wage dispersion raises the thresholds into the labor market. When the salary is the same for young and old companies will choose experience before inexperience. Reduced entry wages for young people is needed.
It also makes the apprenticeship system. European countries with many apprentices are those that have low youth unemployment. Apprentices often get a real job after apprenticeship period is over.
The Alliance Government has reduced social security contributions and restaurant VAT to create pathways for young people entering the labor market. But at the reforms the first thing that the rödgrönrosa opposition will change in the event of change of power.
The Red-Green gives young people a ticket to the social services office!
Liberals give young people a ticket to the future!
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Swedish schools during this term has gone through the biggest omreformeringen since the 1800s. New teacher education with higher standards, teacher certification, career reform, new education act, new curricula, new syllabi with clearer skill, new grading system and the earlier grades, new high school to apprenticeship training, to name a few.
The red-green parties has rejected most of the changes. Above all, they voted against whenever there has been about raising requirements of the school. Der liking it is kind if you do not have requirements for students.
I grew up in a small community where there was no tradition of education. Generation after generation was expected to grow up and then work in the textile mill spinning mills, weaving mills and dye houses. Those who read further risked being "pre-locked." There were bookshelves at home in the 60's in Skene, but they were not filled with books, but with trinkets.
Had not the teachers made demands on us the Textile kids so we obviously had never taken us on. Margaret was my first teacher. She was very old, certainly twenty-five. Maj-Lis was a Swedish teacher in high school who got us to read books. But Margaret and Maj-Lis I had not been here today.
There are social democrats, and the whole of the Swedish Left's greatest betrayal, they have believed that a school without obligation, where students themselves decide what they want to do, that such a school would create greater equality. In such a school, it will be entirely up to the homes to push children's school work, and then we know that the homes are very different.
When listening to the electoral debate you get the impression that several parties think that increased contributions is the most important issue for the future. But it is not, it is the quality of Swedish schools.
We must re-establish the knowledge of school. This is how we create greater equality. For class trip, it starts in the classroom!
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One of the most unsuccessful reforms in Swedish school policy, and then, still competition is fierce, it is Göran Persson municipalization of the school. Persson said that the results would be raised and strengthened the teaching profession. In fact, it has been the opposite. Differences in the conduct of school activities is no problem, as long as the objectives are achieved. But it is obvious that municipalisation lead to large differences between the different parts of Sweden in ambition. The red-green government in the municipality of Gothenburg invests for example, significantly less than the alliance controlled Stockholm at the school, to compare the two metropolitan municipalities.
After nearly 25 years of kommunaliserad school, we are now telling them.
This is the most important school reform during the next four years; to renationalise the Swedish school!
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How is Sweden 2014 compared with Sweden in 2006? No one knew in 2006 that our country over the next eight years would go through the deepest global financial crisis since the 1930s. Had we known it, had enough, many believed that it would be bad for Sweden. Now we have the answer; we have created a quarter of a million more jobs than in 2006. Sweden has expanded welfare, we have increased staffing ratio of trained teachers, more nurses and shorter waiting lists than in 2006. We have also managed to reduce taxes significantly for ordinary people. And Sweden exit the financial crisis as one of the West's strongest economies. This is hindsight after eight years with the Alliance and we have nothing to be ashamed of.
The second government option also consists of four parties; The Left Party, Green Party, the Feminist Initiative and the Social Democrats. How their choices look like is anybody's guess.
The problem is that three of these parties have an economic policy that, when I am at my most generous mood, can be described as crazy. They promise everything; more time off and shorter working hours, higher salaries, higher contributions. There is not a single problem that can not be solved through political decisions with increased government spending. The only saving they seem to consider, in these troubled times is to cut back on defense.
I now quote Olof Palme. In television's final debate before the election in 1979, he went to the harsh attack on bourgeois party leaders Ullsten, Fälldin and Bohman because they avoided to recognize a common policy.
(I quote;) "No joint program. None indication of what the bourgeois together want to do. And then my question: What is wrong with the common bourgeois politics because you never let the voters decide it in a free democratic elections ? ' (End Quote)
Olof Palme was right. It has taught us. Therefore, we have formed the alliance. Before the elections should present its common policies. It is an obligation voters. It is difficult to take a position if you do not know what the options are. So why is my question to the red-green parties; had Olof Palme wrong? And if Palme had the right, as will the question;
"What is wrong with the common red-green policy because you will not let the voters decide it in a free democratic elections?"
"Chaos threatens after the election," it says in the headlines this summer. But the truth is that chaos occurs only when a red-green election victory. If the alliance wins will not be chaos.
I think Stefan Löfven now most worried about two things;
The first is that the election in six weeks should not lead to a rödgrönrosa majority.
the second is that the choice of six weeks must lead to a rödgrönrosa majority.
The chaos will hit ordinary people; When the market players discover that the necessary political decisions are hard to make.
People who are thinking of voting red-green must therefore ask the question;
-How Much higher interest rates, I can manage to pay each month?
-How Much higher electric bill, I want to pay each month?
How much more must be deducted in taxes from my salary every month?
How much more do I have to pay for food week when the transportation taxes imposed on food prices?
How much longer will our twenty year olds should go unemployed when the tax is doubled to hire young people?
Sweden is at a crossroads on 14 September. It is about the future of Sweden.
I am very optimistic, both for the Alliance and for the Liberal Party.
Thanks!
