I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 103

The Hidden Giant of the British Empire 103

The Civil War

Few believed the controversy within the Conservative Party truly stemmed from the Canadian Immigration Act.

Whether to adhere to the original Canadian Immigration Act or remove the Western development support clause wasn’t the fundamental issue.

It was merely a pretext; the essence was a clash between the Conservative Party’s established figures and emerging factions.

The Whig Party, well aware of this, initially refrained from any intervention.

In fact, they planned to escalate the conflict by simply observing without intervening.

Highlighting the Conservative Party’s internal strife would naturally reflect poorly on them in the eyes of the public, benefiting the opposition.

Continuing to showcase the ruling party’s disarray and leveraging it as momentum would sufficiently boost their approval ratings.

That was certainly the plan, but…

“What the hell? Is this real? Is someone playing a prank?”

“It’s definitely real. Judging by the precise mention of that incident back then…”

The moods of Lord Melbourne, the leader of the Whig Party, and John Russell, a potential successor, plummeted instantly.

Just when an opportunity seemed to arise, a nightmare they had momentarily forgotten resurfaced, as if determined to prevent them from succeeding.

“They’re digging up this incident now to pressure us… Were the Conservatives indeed the ones who obstructed us back then?”

“But if so, why keep the incident buried until now?”

“I think I have a rough idea.”

Russell pointed to the sender-unknown letter, continuing,

“What this guy wants is clear. He wants you, my lord, to confront the Prime Minister. He’s even outlined when, at what timing, and how to move.”

“Indeed. We should assume that the one who sent this letter is not Robert Peel or his faction.”

“Then it must be someone from the Wellesley side. Or perhaps Wellesley himself.”

“Charles Wellesley is the mastermind behind this letter? The identity of the malicious individual who completely shattered our plans, seized our weaknesses, and has been biding his time until now is Charles Wellesley?”

Certainly, someone who has built a faction that accounts for nearly half of the Conservative Party in his early 30s undoubtedly possesses considerable ability.

Thus, the reason for using a long-held secret weapon now, amidst the ongoing factional strife with the Prime Minister, becomes understandable.

“If it’s not Charles Wellesley, there’s no explanation for sending this letter at this particular moment.”

“True… There would have been many more useful ways to utilize it.”

“If Robert Peel and the senior members beside him are all ousted here, the Conservative Party will become Charles Wellesley’s world. I’ve been wondering why he seized our weaknesses and didn’t use them until now; it seems he was waiting for an opportunity like this.”

“A frightening fellow. So, he anticipated the Conservative Party’s factional strife from the beginning? Could his usual demeanor have been a facade to conceal his deep-seated schemes?”

Although he was on the Whig Party side, as a member of a noble family, he had met Charles Wellesley several times since childhood.

The impression he had then was, in a word, ‘Not as good as his father.’

The comparison was harsh, considering the subject was the hero of Waterloo [Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, a celebrated military figure], but both of the Duke of Wellington’s sons gave the impression of not possessing the same caliber as their father.

Yet, to think he would grow into such a formidable figure.

His innate talent as a soldier may have been lacking, but as a politician, he far surpassed his father.

‘How could someone in politics be so lacking in judgment of character?’

Lord Melbourne sighed softly and clutched his head.

“Russell, what do you think? Should we just go along with this?”

“We have no choice. And this isn’t entirely bad for us. Either way, if the Conservative cabinet collapses and a new election is held, there will inevitably be defectors among Conservative supporters. Will all those who support Robert Peel flock to the Wellesley side? Or will some defect and come over to our side?”

“I see. So, this is an opportunity for us to increase our seats.”

“Yes. Now that Gladstone [William Gladstone, a prominent British statesman] has joined our party, we can promote the image of our Whig Party as more fair and open than the Conservative Party. If we play our cards right, we might even be able to regain a majority in this election.”

Even if Wellesley wins the Conservative Party’s leadership struggle, it would take at least a year to resolve the aftermath.

If we secure our gains during that time, we can say that we’re getting everything we can while being played by them.

“Indeed. If we drag our feet and the Conservative Party reunites, the situation could become completely reversed… It might be more advantageous to just go for it now. But couldn’t Wellesley use this as an excuse to continue manipulating us?”

“That’s the problem. Of course, there is a solution…”

“Oh, really? I knew you’d have something in mind. What can I do?”

“I’m truly sorry to say this myself, but… there’s only one way. You must step down from your position as the party leader.”

Russell couldn’t bring himself to continue the explanation, but Lord Melbourne understood the meaning.

In other words, to prevent Wellesley from wielding this weakness any further, he should simply take all the responsibility and step down.

Then, the future Whig Party would be clean, with no connection to the previous riot conspiracy.

“So… that’s the only way?”

“Yes. I also plan to not take any position in the party for the time being and simply remain as a regular member of parliament.”

“It can’t be helped. Since we’ve been continuously losing elections, I wouldn’t have been able to hold out much longer anyway. It might be better to step down voluntarily at this point. Robert Peel will be dragged down in the Conservative Party as well, so it might be strategically better for us to step down and present a new face.”

“My lord…”

Russell lowered his head, but Lord Melbourne patted him on the shoulder in encouragement.

Originally, taking responsibility is the role of the highest decision-maker, so who can blame whom?

Still, it’s fortunate that we can at least prepare an escape route to pull the party out of the swamp of defeat before leaving.

“We have talents like Palmerston [Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, a British statesman] in our party, and Gladstone, who joined us this time, so I believe the future isn’t too bleak. You should also lie low for a while, and then return to the center of the party when the time comes. I’ll take all the responsibility and step down anyway.”

“My lord…”

“I’m more worried about you guys. I can comfortably retire as an old man in the back room, but you have to face the Conservative Party from now on. And the Conservative Party led by that monster, Charles Wellesley.”

“It’s a daunting opponent, but I’ll do my best.”

He said that, but Russell’s face didn’t look very confident.

How did the Duke of Wellington educate his children that his seemingly diligent second son grew up to be an insidious politician with dozens of snakes writhing in his stomach?

Since they’ll both be semi-retired soon, the Lord inwardly decided to ask the Duke of Wellington for the secret to successful child-rearing.

* * *

“-For these reasons, the Canadian Immigration Act must be passed in its original form. This is essential for the permanent benefit of the British Empire and the livelihoods of its citizens.”

Wellesley’s voice resounded, filling the House of Commons.

As a cabinet minister, I was sitting in a prime seat where I could best observe the proceedings, watching Wellesley berate the Prime Minister.

“However, the Prime Minister is intentionally distorting this bill by attaching ridiculous excuses. Representing the citizens of the British Empire, I can no longer tolerate this tyranny.”

“Hush! Watch your words! Tyranny, you say!”

An elderly member of parliament raised his voice in anger, but Wellesley continued without regard.

“Tyranny it is! If using the lives of millions of people as a tool for political strife isn’t tyranny, then what is?”

“That arrogance and dogmatism that dismisses criticism of the content of their own bill as a tool for political strife is precisely tyranny!”

“If it’s flawed, then we can debate it. I have been continuously presenting data to support the validity of this bill, but some people have consistently refused to look at this data. I even requested the Foreign Secretary to speak, but the Prime Minister did not even grant permission. Isn’t the current cabinet’s position to simply close their eyes and ears and even shut our mouths? If you’re confident, we can debate and make a decision!”

“That’s why there’s no reason to debate!”

Their strategy is to list evidence and then overwhelm it with an ‘I can’t hear you, I can’t see you’ approach, which is absurd but effective.

So what if you’re upset? What can you do, you young punks?

Since they’ve never been cut open even after acting like this, it’s not unreasonable for them to think the outcome won’t be different this time either.

But unfortunately, they’ve picked the wrong fight this time.

I’ve brought a scalpel that can actually cut them open if they lie down and demand it.

“I also agree with Member Wellesley’s words!”

Amidst the ongoing bickering, a sudden loud voice from a completely different direction caused the Conservative Party members to naturally turn their heads.

The Whig Party, which had been silently watching the fire from across the river.

Among them, Lord Palmerston, who was rapidly gaining popularity in the House of Commons, came to Wellesley’s support, and Robert Peel’s eyes visibly shook.

“W-What do you mean by agreeing?”

“Settling Irish people well in Canada isn’t just an Irish problem. It’s a major undertaking that will greatly impact Canada’s future and, furthermore, bring considerable repercussions to the British Empire. And yet, you’re engaging in political strife over such a crucial bill? This is something to be ashamed of!”

“No, that’s not what it is, as I’ve repeatedly explained!”

“No. After observing everything so far, our party’s opinion has also been decided. The Canadian Immigration Act should be passed in its original form.”

It goes without saying, but the combined number of seats held by the Whig Party and the Wellesley faction far exceeds the majority.

The Prime Minister’s faction was also taken aback by the Whig Party’s stance, but not yet to the point of despair.

So far, they probably just feel like, ‘We failed this time because of those Whig Party guys,’ which is a natural reaction.

But if I had only wanted to pass the bill, I wouldn’t have used such a cumbersome method.

“Then… we’ll put forward a motion to pass the Canadian Immigration Act in its original form…”

“One more thing. After watching this debate, we have developed a strong doubt about the direction in which the Prime Minister is leading the country itself. Modifying the bill because it could cause conflict with the United States? This is an unacceptable statement for the Prime Minister of the British Empire.”

“…What are you talking about…”

“Therefore! We hereby formally express our lack of confidence in the cabinet and request that a vote of no confidence be put to a vote!”

They probably didn’t even anticipate that a vote of no confidence would be submitted because of a single bill like this.

The Prime Minister, with his mouth agape, looked at Wellesley with a ‘surely not’ expression.

The moment Wellesley agrees here and his faction aligns with the Whig Party, the cabinet collapses.

Then, the Prime Minister is left with two choices.

Step down from the Prime Minister’s position and nominate a successor, or ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament.

Since no one would accept the nomination of the Prime Minister’s faction as successor after a vote of no confidence, the only real option is to dissolve Parliament.

But even if Parliament is dissolved, how can a Prime Minister who was pushed out due to a power struggle, not just a simple vote of no confidence, regain power?

“We agree with the Whig Party’s proposal. Unfortunately, we cannot feel the philosophy of governing the country or the heart to serve the people in the current government.”

“W-What are you saying! Are you siding with the opposition party to bring down the Prime Minister of the same party! This is betrayal!”

“The Prime Minister betrayed the people first! Those who do politics representing the citizens of the British Empire should do politics with a heart that thinks of the citizens, not with petty power!”

Hoo. It’s refreshing, even though it’s a line I wrote.

Anyway, no matter how much they sing about betrayal and collusion here, it’s just a pathetic excuse from the losers.

As I was happily listening to their outcry, the Prime Minister, whose face had turned pale, turned to me and our eyes met.

“You… you couldn’t have… you knew this would happen and didn’t tell me…”

“Prime Minister.”

I finally uttered the words I had been holding back when we met last time.

“It may not be much of a consolation, but isn’t there the Thames River [a major river running through London] right outside the parliament building? Our river that runs through London, the proud center of the world.”

“What are you suddenly talking about…”

“When the backwater of the Thames flows, the front water is bound to be pushed back. That is the law of nature, so I hope you don’t feel too resentful.”

“You bloody bugg…”

I heard the Prime Minister shouting something, but I got up from my seat and went outside.

The vote is already decided, and if the result is determined outside, the city will be turned upside down.

I need to keep throwing firewood to make this commotion burn more spectacularly.

The Prime Minister’s faction and the Whig Party will try to respond from now on, but those who are not prepared can’t beat those who are prepared.

The vote of no confidence is not the end, but the beginning.