Sara Skyttedal about the defection from KD and the disappointment of Ebba Busch

Last week she left the Christian Democrats after 22 years.

For Aftonbladet, EU parliamentarian Sara Skyttedal opens up about the anxiety before the decision, the great disappointment in Ebba Busch and that she regrets the talks with the Sweden Democrats.

– I can only state that it would have been better if I had acted differently.

Last week, it became clear that the EU parliamentarian Sara Skyttedal is leaving the Christian Democrats and becoming politically wild after being tipped as the party’s top name in the upcoming EU elections in June.

The rewritten soup is based on the fact that Sara Skyttedal is said to have offered her services to the Sweden Democrats. But even though there has been a stiff gale surrounding the controversial 37-year-old, she smiles when asked how she feels now.

– I’m actually fine and better than I thought I would. When you make such a big decision, it’s harder before than after.

Did you go and suffer for a long time?

– Yes, I really did. As soon as I found out how it had all happened, the instinct was that I couldn’t stay. But as I have been active in the Christian Democrats for 22 years, I felt that it was not a decision I could make on impulse. I had a lot of anxiety before I had it done, but now I feel mostly relieved.

How did it go when you delivered the decision?

– I called the party leader and told him that I will request withdrawal and then I sent a formal email to the party secretary.

What kind of reaction did you get?

– It was a very correct and matter-of-fact treatment.

You and Ebba Busch have been good friends. Did you expect a warmer treatment than what you say you received?

– Emotions in general would have been what I had expected in such a situation, even if it had been disappointment, anger or care. But I haven’t felt that.

Have you been in contact with Ebba Busch after that conversation?

– No.

Are you disappointed in her?

– That is not a strong enough word.

– I think this should have been handled in a different way, which would have been a little more respectful, direct and honest. I am very disappointed in the lack of honesty between us and I had expected more after such a long relationship. I would have appreciated that you were straight and honest instead of hiding behind other people, says Sara Skyttedal and nods when asked if she means Ebba Busch by “man”.

What is your biggest disappointment when it comes to everything that has happened?

– That you have not been honest with me. I have lived in faith that I will continue with this and have planned an election campaign and my private life around having this confidence. On the same day that I got the first signal that something was not right, I had sat with the party and planned my tour visits outside the country.

You have said that there was a clear plan to depose you, so do you mean that it was purely personal?

– There are several people who have put forward some kind of theory that it would be about some kind of competitive situation between us. I think perhaps it’s basically a matter of thinking that it’s difficult to work with someone who doesn’t just want to be accommodated. It becomes very sluggish in a democratic organization if you are not allowed to have a freer debate climate and propose new ideas without risking being beaten down and not having any opportunities to come forward.

Then it must have been a bit personal?

– It is clear that it is me as a person who has been victimized, it is not about what I have achieved. No one has had a negative view of it. So it’s about who I am as a politician.

Regardless of what you think about your decision, it almost tends to become a bit of a sandbox of the whole thing?

– Yes, I don’t think this type of situation increases trust in politicians or in the parties. Rather, I think it increases contempt for politicians.

But you are, after all, elected by the voters of the Christian Democrats. Couldn’t your decision to become a political savage also cause one to lose trust in politicians?

– I would have understood if there had been a long time left in the mandate period. Now there are two months left of active work. If someone were to replace me now, they would not be allowed to take over the negotiation tasks, but would probably just sit out the time and do nothing. I feel that I have a great responsibility towards the voters to fulfill my duties.

Would you have acted differently if, for example, there was one year left in the mandate?

– Maybe, it’s hard to know. But then I might have felt that there was an opportunity for someone else to come in and do something. Now that is not even possible.

But should you really stay if you do not represent the voters of the Christian Democrats?

– After all, I represent them and intend to continue to represent all the ideas that I gave as a promise to the voters in 2019. That is what I intend to complete.

This means that the taxpayers will pay for your living in Brussels, even though you have no party affiliation. Are you okay with that?

– Taxpayers pay for all elected officials. I hope that those who have voted for me will feel proud of what I have done before and now in the last time. I haven’t changed my values ​​or opinions and will work for exactly the same thing.

Everyone who runs for office signs a declaration that includes renouncing their seat if they leave the party?

– I understand that it is in the party’s interest to design it that way, but I really think the party cultures in Sweden should be changed. Even in the Riksdag, the members should be able to be more free. In principle, one follows a party line 100 percent. What does it say about the political representatives if you are just a button pusher. I think it’s pretty unhealthy.

“Ebba Busch ‘ghosted’ me”

Is there anything you regret?

– Obviously I acted hastily. Last summer I was completely convinced that I had no future in the Christian Democrats. The members had their say and didn’t want me to stay and my party leader “ghosted” me for weeks. Then I looked around to see what I could do next. But obviously the door was not closed as I managed to gain the trust of the party council after all.

– But that I didn’t have a little more ice in my stomach … It was also a mistake to trust that everyone you contact handles the information with care and keeps confidential conversations to themselves.

So then you regret your conversations with the Sweden Democrats?

– It is clear that it would have been much better if I had not done it. At the same time, I am a person who sees no gain in looking back. But I can only state that it would have been better if I had acted differently. It goes without saying.

Did you also have contact with other parties?

– I had absolutely similar types of conversations to see if you can work with consulting services elsewhere as well. It felt natural to start probing the terrain. I also contacted parties in other countries.

Many consider you controversial, what do you think about that?

– I don’t think it should be considered strange to stand up for what you think as long as you are honest and straightforward. I wish more people would do that.

– I do not regret that I have stood up for what I believe in, even if it has obviously cost me the place I had in the Christian Democrats. But that does not mean that I am not enormously grateful that I have been given the opportunity to work in the party.

As you say, it has cost, has it been worth it?

– Yes.

Would a party leadership position attract?

– As party cultures look today, a person like me could never become party leader. You have to adapt to various internal political considerations and you cannot be honest enough. As a party leader in Sweden, you have to be prepared to sell your soul to the party and that is not a price I am prepared to pay.

Who has been there for you during this period?

– I am extremely grateful that I have my family and I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t had them. Then it would probably have felt much heavier. My husband and I have two three-year-olds and that makes you land a little in reality and realize what is most important. A three-year-old doesn’t put on overalls any faster because mom has had a bad day at work.

With all this said, do you give the impression of being mentally strong?

– I am, which I am very happy about. I think many had been broken a long time ago.

How do you see your political future?

– We’ll see, but I see the future brightly. Many have figured me out before. But I haven’t finished my nine lives yet and I don’t think you’ve seen the last of me.

Footnote: Aftonbladet has contacted Ebba Busch, who refuses to comment.

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