The Shadow of Great Britain

Regardless of how Arthur should quantify the consequences of losing the University of London, his most stable support.

Just the idea of the Whig Party and Conservative Party moving towards alliance is something he cannot accept.

Because if there are no differences between the parties, how could he play his bridging role?

Once Arthur loses his unique position between the two parties, he also loses his value to be bought.

Which means he can no longer demand exorbitant prices from both parties.

After all, relying solely on the power of Victoria’s Royal Family is not enough to realize his political ambitions.

Or, even considering just Arthur’s small piece of land, the union of the two parties would be disastrous.

Scotland Yard can no longer use ”strict political neutrality” to evade problems.

For once the ruling party and the opposition party are no longer enemies, they will find they have a common enemy.

Which is any organization that holds power but is not fully controlled by them.

And Scotland Yard happens to be the most conspicuous among them.

Arthur doesn’t need to imagine what the consequences would be.

Thinking about it makes Arthur sweat at the back; this ”authoritarian destroyer of ancient English hereditary tradition” being fiercely attacked by Fleet Street, ”the first Prussian-style minister in Britain’s history,” couldn’t help but want to rush to the editorial departments of major newspapers to tell the editors: ”I can talk, I can be free and uninhibited too.”

Even if the new ”Police Bill” fails to pass the third reading in Parliament, he must prevent the Whig Party from becoming conservative, and cannot allow Earl Dalamo and others to sever ties with the Whig Party, for Arthur is well-versed in the meaning and usage of stabbing in the back.

Laying the path for Earl Dalamo’s return to Canada is no longer just about ensuring he has a stable support.

If Dalamo returns to Canada, it will create a rift between the Conservative Party and the Whig Party, because Arthur knows, the Canada issue is like the Ireland issue, and this is no trivial matter; the Conservatives will never compromise on this point.

Arthur took a deep breath and solemnly asked: ”Eld, do those things you said in college still count?”

Eld bit into some bread: ”Which sentence? I’ve said plenty during college.”

”Liberty is worth any price.”

”You mean that sentence?” Eld said with an earnest display: ”That wasn’t me; it’s from Charles James Fox; I just quoted it.”

Arthur held his patience, not immediately criticizing Eld for showing off his erudition at the wrong time: ”Eld, I’m talking about national affairs with you now!”

”So am I!” Eld showed a serious face: ”Continue.”

Arthur laid out his conjectures, finishing with a knock on the table: ”If the two parties merge, they will see all independent powers as threats, which would be devastating for Britain’s freedom and for the Radical Liberal Party represented by the University of London. We have to come up with a way to prevent them from forming a consensus on the Canada issue. As long as they can still argue, still ridicule each other, the Liberals have a way out. This is not just for you and me, it’s for the whole Great Britain Island.”

Eld swallowed the last bit of bread, frowning deeply: ”You speak lightly. But...”

He raised his fingers, showing a helpless gesture: ”What can we do now? The parties won’t listen to us. We are civil servants, so at least on the surface, we must maintain political neutrality and avoid making unnecessary controversial statements. Maybe we can do something through Imperial Publishing, but everyone knows that’s our industry, and Melbourne and Peel are as clear as a mirror about it.”

Arthur rarely agreed with Eld’s opinion: ”Publishing opinions through Imperial Publishing is indeed not possible, but ’Westminster Review’ should definitely publish a few articles. I’ll contact John Stuart Mill these days; I’m sure he’s also fuming now, we need to give him a place to vent. The most important thing is, if Mill doesn’t publish, I’m afraid when the time comes, Earl Dalamo and Lord Brougham won’t be able to restrain themselves and will personally step in.”

Eld frowned: ”Aren’t those two planning to leave the Whig Party and form a new party?”

”This is the key issue,” Arthur emphasized: ”No matter what happens, they must not leave the party!”

Eld looked at him with half skepticism: ”Don’t tell me you can make them change their minds?”

”They don’t need to change their minds.” Arthur shook his head: ”But not changing their minds doesn’t necessarily mean they have to leave the party.”

Eld froze: ”Huh? You mean just stay without leaving?”

”That’s exactly what I mean,” Arthur admitted: ”Even though they’re marginalized within the Whig Party and avoided like the plague by the right within the Whig Party, at least nominally, they still carry a layer of Whig Party skin.”

Eld asked puzzledly: ”Is carrying the skin useful?”

”Very useful.” Arthur explained to Eld: ”With Viscount Melbourne’s personality, no matter how much he dislikes Lord Brougham, he has to care a bit about party appearance. No matter how impatient he is with Earl Dalamo, he must maintain nominal party unity.”

Eld was silent for a moment, he seemed to understand Arthur’s meaning: ”Then if... these people leave the party, the situation will instantly change from a private party conflict to a public party struggle?”

”Correct.” Arthur nodded: ”Once they become enemies outside the party, Viscount Melbourne won’t have to consider old sentiments when taking action.”

Eld shrank his neck: ”Are you saying... he would fix the Radical faction?”

”It’s not just fixing,” Arthur appropriately exaggerated: ”The worst-case scenario is liquidation, a clean liquidation.”

Eld’s throat moved, he couldn’t help muttering: ”Then what should we do now? You can’t expect to persuade people like Lord Brougham and Earl Dalamo, they’re not ones to take advice.”

Arthur slowly leaned back against his chair: ”I naturally know they can’t be persuaded; they’re hot-tempered, but fortunately, they’re politicians.”

”What’s the matter with politicians?”

Arthur said flatly: ”Politicians can never voluntarily give up a position that can make their enemies headache.”

Eld was stunned for a few seconds, scratching his head: ”But this still sounds difficult! Not to mention they’re both doers of their word. Even if they’re willing to turn back, can we provide them such a position? I at most have the recommendation rights for appointing Third-class Clerk of the Navy Department, you’re slightly better in the Home Office, but it’s still limited.”

Arthur picked up the teacup: ”We don’t have such power, but Her Majesty the Queen does. And what we need to do is create the right atmosphere before Her Majesty the Queen makes a decision.”