Drinking Habits Of British MPs:
A past report (perhaps from the 1960s) on the drinking habits of British MPs concludes with this amusing anecdote:
George Brown, the Foreign Secretary under Prime Minister Harold Wilson, was well known for his love for drinking.
Perhaps the most well-known session occurred at an official reception on a state-visit to Brazil.
Spying an attractive person in a red dress, he asked for a dance. "There are three reasons, Mr Brown, why I will not dance with you,” the object of his affection reputedly replied.
“The first, I fear, is that you’ve had too much to drink.
The second is that this is not, as you suppose, a waltz that the orchestra is playing but the Brazilian national anthem, for which you should be standing to attention.
And the third reason why we may not dance, Mr. Brown, is that I am the Cardinal of Sao Paulo."