The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 783: Chapter 369 May Turmoil_3

“More democracy?” Disraeli tasted his wine, frowning as he commented, “To be precise, this candidate has to be agreed upon by at least the Duke of Wellington, Earl Eldon, Earl Lyndhurst, Crook, and Sir Peel, these five people.”

Arthur spoke up, “Of course I know that, but my question is why Sir Peel would refuse to become the new Prime Minister. Because in my view, as well as in terms of social opinion and combined strength, he’s currently the most suitable candidate within the Tory Party.”

Upon hearing this, Disraeli couldn’t help but make a sarcastic remark.

“Arthur, it’s not just you who thinks that, everyone does. Last week, at the party group meeting in the White Club, Crook immediately asked, ‘Who should be appointed as the new Prime Minister?’ At that moment, whether it was us newcomers or the big shots, all immediately looked towards Sir Peel. After making eye contact with Sir Peel, even Earl Lyndhurst nodded slightly at him.”

But to everyone’s surprise, Sir Peel told everyone in an unusual tone, ‘Under the current situation, forming a new government will almost certainly require the continued promotion of the Reform Bill, and I cannot, nor am I willing to have any association with this matter. I have already lost face over the “Catholic Emancipation Act”, so I have now resolved not to repeat the same mistake.’

At this point, Arthur finally understood the biggest reason for the Tory Party’s difficulty in producing a Prime Minister.

It wasn’t that there were no suitable candidates, but because of the ‘Catholic Emancipation Act,’ which set a precedent, so no one dared to step forward at this moment to take on the task.

As Sir Peel said, even if the Whig Party falls from power and the Tory Party resumes governance, but with the current trend, if the new Tory Cabinet does not continue to push the Reform Bill, their governance will certainly not last long.

Yet if the new Cabinet chooses to push the Reform Bill, even if it’s an extremely conservative reform, it will inevitably cause a new round of backlash within the Tory Party, exacerbate party divisions, and undermine the political prestige of the new Cabinet within the Tory ranks.

Figures like the Duke of Wellington have been utterly disgraced by the “Catholic Emancipation Act”; seeing the Duke’s fate, who else would dare to step up?

Having realized this, Arthur immediately asked, “So you’re saying… if Sir Peel is unwilling to take the position, what about Lord Harrowby…”

Disraeli rolled his eyes, “The same, he’s unwilling too. And it’s not just the Prime Minister that’s a problem; the Tory Party can’t find anyone willing to be the new Speaker of the Parliament either. Right now, we simply can’t find anyone willing to step forward to organize the government.”

Arthur, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but rise and pace back and forth.

Perhaps the citizens of London were unaware of just how chaotic the government was at the moment, but as a policeman within the public sector, Arthur was all too clear on it.

Why the matter of the Duke’s personal safety had fallen into his hands was certainly not because Arthur had volunteered for the task, but because the Home Office simply couldn’t find someone in charge at the moment.

Without the Home Secretary’s seal, whoever takes over the Duke’s security affairs becomes the primary person responsible.

If nothing happens to His Grace, you get no credit, but if something does happen, you’ll be the first to take the blame.

The Whig Cabinet had already resigned en masse, but the new Tory Cabinet had yet to be chosen…

Now, the great ship of Britain was not only lacking a captain and helmsman but also a first, second, and third mate.

In that week, the entire administrative apparatus of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was virtually running on autopilot; Arthur could never have imagined that unmanned technology would have been pioneered by Britain as early as the 19th century.

Seeing Arthur’s anxious demeanor, Disraeli could only smile helplessly, standing up to soothe him, “But, Arthur, don’t rush, because rushing is useless. Moreover, according to current information, if the Prime Minister’s selection continues to be difficult, there’s one person who is considering stepping up personally.”

Arthur stopped in his tracks, staring at Disraeli and asked, “Are you talking about the Duke of Wellington?”

“Exactly.”

Disraeli recalled, “After the meeting that night, I happened to overhear the Duke of Wellington privately saying to Earl Lyndhurst, ‘I am very worried whether we can free the King from the shackles of those tyrannical ministers. Whatever His Majesty the King orders me to do, I am fully prepared. My opposition to the reform is as strong as ever. But no matter the difficulties, I personally fear nothing; no difficulty can stop me from giving my all for His Majesty the King and this kingdom.’”