The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 670 - 327: The Mountain Rain is About to Fall_3

Arthur leaned on the railing and began, "Alexander, this isn’t about one’s backside, it’s about politics. His primary identity now is that of a Tory Party member under the protection of Earl Lyndhurst, and only secondarily as a Jewish man. At this stage, he can’t voice too many of his own opinions."

Great Dumas snickered, "Perhaps Earl Lyndhurst chose him for that very reason? With the oppressed Jews on their side, how can anyone else propose more radical reform ideas?"

Upon hearing this, Arthur shook his head, "In my view, getting the support of Earl Lyndhurst is certainly far better than getting the support of the Duke of Newcastle. At least, Earl Lyndhurst counts among the liberals of the Tory Party, alongside Sir Peel, whereas the faction led by the Duke of Newcastle and Earl Eldon is the most difficult to deal with. In the second vote on the Parliamentary reform bill, half of the 76 votes against it came from their side."

"Only half?" Great Dumas asked, "Then who cast the other half?"

Arthur fiddled with the gilded snuffbox that Police Superintendent Jones had given him, and replied, "Need you ask? Of course, it was the conservatives of the Duke of Wellington."

Great Dumas frowned, "Didn’t the extreme faction of the Tory Party break with the Duke of Wellington over the ’Catholic Emancipation Act’? How come they end up in the same pit when it comes to the issue of parliamentary reform?"

"Times change," Arthur said.

Looking down at the noisy Parliament members below, Arthur spoke, "’The Catholic Emancipation Act’ managed to offend all the priests, but not all of the extreme faction of the Tory Party are that devout. Right now, it’s not just the liberal faction of the Tory Party that has split; even the extreme faction has been divided in two. If it weren’t for the Tory Party still holding an absolute majority in the House of Lords, the ’Parliamentary Reform Bill’ should have passed by now."

Great Dumas asked, "That’s why I say, Britain’s House of Commons is merely a facade. As long as someone controls the House of Lords, they can force the rejection of bills passed by the Commons. If so, what’s the point of having two chambers? Just to appear democratic?"

Arthur shook his head upon hearing this, "Alexander, you don’t understand. Although the House of Lords can indeed veto bills from the Commons, using that power too often can lead to trouble. The protests and marches erupting across Britain about parliamentary reform already explain the issue quite clearly."

Great Dumas shrugged, "So what? Doesn’t the Home Office plan to establish a permanent police force throughout the nation? Aren’t you afraid of protests and marches?"

Arthur glanced at him, "Indeed, the Home Office plans to do just that. But are you suggesting that the police force should have a political stance? Let me remind you, the current ruling party is the Whig Party, who proposed the Parliamentary Reform Bill, and they also plan to set up a local police force. Though the initial intention is indeed to maintain local law and order, do you think it’s that simple?"

"What else could it be?" Great Dumas asked, eyebrows raised, "Aside from marches and riots, what else are they wary of?"

Arthur simply laughed upon hearing this, "Alexander, I thought the French would be particularly sensitive to this matter. Yet you, a participant in the July Revolution, seem particularly obtuse."

Great Dumas paused in thought, ready to dig deeper.

Suddenly, someone patted him on the shoulder.

"Arthur, Alexander, as much as I hate to disturb your enjoyment of the Commons debate, it’s time we took care of pressing matters. Mr. Harrison has arrived; he’s at the entrance of Parliament Hall."

Great Dumas turned to see Louis speaking, "But I need to understand! These British, always double-speaking and acting. It’s never straightforward with them."

Arthur gathered his coat about him, chuckling softly, "You’re asking the wrong person; I don’t know either. You should consult with Louis about it; he is an expert in these matters."