The Shadow of Great Britain

210: Chapter 143: Parliamentary Confrontation (7K4)_2 210: Chapter 143: Parliamentary Confrontation (7K4)_2 Duke Wellington simply lifted his hat upon hearing this and said, “Robert, have you forgotten what I told you before?

Indeed, I’m not adept at debate, but I didn’t come here today to debate; I came to censure.”

With that said, the elder Duke took two steps at a time to the speaker’s box.

Following the tradition of Parliament, he did not directly reply to Lord Russell but addressed the Speaker acting as the intermediary.

“Respected Mr.

Speaker, I believe a true patriot must abandon religion and class concepts; his opposition in Parliament must target the bill and not the individual.

Lord Russell’s previous assertion that a military man is incapable of governing the country is quite a farcical notion.”

I’d like to ask Lord Russell, who was it that preserved the democratic power of Parliament when the King dissolved it?

It was a military man, Cromwell!

And who was it that decisively and boldly opposed Charles II’s interference with Parliament and led the parliamentary movement?

It was a military man, William Cavendish!

Also, who was it that after seizing complete power, resolutely welcomed the King back and restored Britain’s constitutional tradition?

Again, a military man, George Monck!

It is because of these military men that we have our current parliamentary traditions, which allows individuals like Lord Russell to enter Parliament.

Yet such a person as Lord Russell is already so mediocre and lacking in insight, and now he intends to let a bunch of people even less competent than he into Parliament.

I think, if we make the decision to pass the “Parliament Reform Bill” and, in essence, add chaff to Parliament, only people like Lord Russell might benefit.

Because when the level of political decision-making in Parliament decreases, even his laughable remarks might seem brilliant by comparison.

This truly is the worst thing I have seen in my lifetime!”

No sooner had Duke Wellington finished speaking than a wave of applause erupted from the Tory camp.

General Sidney Smith, who was watching the debate from the second floor, laughed heartily and mocked, “Duke, I disagree with your opinion that the ‘Parliament Reform Bill’ is the worst thing in the world, perhaps because you haven’t seen the five-act play ‘Don Carlos’ recently written by Lord Russell.

Compared to that play, even the ‘Parliament Reform Bill’ seems acceptable.”

Lord Russell, who was already sitting below with a face changing from anger and frustration due to Wellington’s overt and covert mockery, couldn’t help but jump up from his seat when he heard General Smith’s mockery, and pointed at him, cursing, “Smith!

What did you say?”

General Cordington, who had come with General Smith, also changed his expression.

As he tugged at Smith’s trousers, he pleaded in a lowered voice, “The atmosphere in Parliament is already tense enough; please don’t add to the chaos.”

General Smith nodded, seeming to acquiesce to General Cordington’s plea, but then turned his head and spoke again, “Lord Russell, I meant no offense.

Truth be told, aside from that play, you’re not always so terrible.

Gentlemen, I’ve always considered Lord Russell to be a man of many talents; I believe he could operate on a patient to remove kidney stones, could construct St Paul’s Cathedral, or perhaps even replace my friend General Cordington as the Commander of Great Britain’s Channel Fleet…”

At this, Lord Russell’s pained expression slightly eased, but shortly after, he heard General Smith’s voice rise again.

General Smith laughed and said, “However, as you can all see from his demeanor, the patient he treated is dead, his constructed cathedral has collapsed, and the Channel Fleet under his command has been scattered to the winds.”

General Smith’s words immediately provoked raucous laughter from the Tory side, while the Whig members stood up in outrage, loudly accusing.

Seeing the situation spiraling out of control again, the Speaker, his neck bulging with veins, had no choice but to pick up his gavel again to call for order: “Silence!

Silence!

Sergeant at Arms, escort all non-participants out of Parliament Hall!”

But General Smith on the second floor evidently had more sense than the two members who had been ejected just before, saying, “No need for you to bother, Mr.

Speaker; I’ve had my fill of sharing a room with Lord Russell.

I’ll let myself out.”

With that, he made his way out the door, cane in hand, under the watchful eyes of everyone present.

Lord Russell, with eyes widened in anger, pointed at General Smith’s retreating figure and shouted, “Smith, after this inquiry ends, I must settle this with you!

The very reason we promote parliamentary reform is to rid Britain of such ignorant pests as you.”

Seeing that the discussion was veering off topic, the Speaker quickly interjected to call for the next speaker: “Next!

The Duke of Bedford!”

The Duke of Bedford first pressed his emotionally agitated brother back into his seat, then quickly made his way to the speaker’s stand and questioned, “Regardless of the Prime Minister’s sophistry, we still hope that everyone can see the tyrant standing before us is scorning public opinion and intends to consolidate all power in his own hands.

Although I have always opposed anarchism, if I must choose between anarchism and despotism, then I prefer anarchism!”

Hearing this, Duke Wellington almost without thinking retorted, “If anyone wants to witness anarchism, there’s no need to leave Britain; just visit the Duke of Bedford’s estate, and there you can see exactly what anarchism is.

As far as I know, the farmers’ Swin movement has always been successful on the Duke’s land, and the area was also a hotspot for the Luddite movement, which used to smash up textile factory machines.”