William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne quotes
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne was a British statesman and Prime Minister during the early Victorian period. A trusted advisor to Queen Victoria, he played an important role in helping her navigate her early years on the throne. He is remembered as a moderate leader who guided the country through significant political changes. Here are 19 of his quotes:
My principles are, as I believe, the Whig principles of the revolution. The main foundation of them is the irresponsibility of the crown, the consequent responsibility of ministers, and the preservation of the power and dignity of parliament as constituted by law and custom. With a heap of modern additions, interpolations, facts and fictions, I have nothing to do.
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
I say, Archbishop, all this reforming gives a deuced deal of trouble, eh? eh? I wish they'd let it all alone...I say, Archbishop, what do you think I'd have done about this slavery business, if I'd had my own way? I'd have done nothing at all! I'd have left it all alone. It's all a pack of nonsense! Always have been slaves in all the most civilised countries; the Greeks and Romans had slaves; however, they would have their fancy, and so we've abolished slavery; but it's a great folly.
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne
I now, my Lords, frankly declare that I resume office unequivocally and solely for this reason-that I will not abandon my Sovereign in a situation of difficulty and distress, and especially when a demand is made upon her Majesty, with which I think she ought not to comply-a demand, in my opinion, my Lords, inconsistent with her personal honour, and which, if acquiesced in, would make her reign liable to all the changes and variations of political parties, and render her domestic life one constant scene of unhappiness and discomfort.
William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne