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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: A Great Upheaval
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December 29, 1834.
The 11th Parliament was dissolved, and all of Britain began preparing to form a new one.
Determined to win this election and solidify his position as Prime Minister, Robert Peel boldly abandoned the name his party had used until now: the Tory Party.
With a fresh start under the name of the Conservative Party, the resolve of Robert Peel and its senior members was more grim than ever.
-We will contest this election using every means available.
When this directive, akin to a declaration of total war, came down from the party, I headed to Ireland to lend a hand, however small, to the Conservative Party's victory.
I needed to start making my presence known there anyway to turn Ireland into my own stronghold, so how could I not be grateful for the party giving me a push?
Thus, I was once again imprinted in the minds of the senior members as a praiseworthy student, so young yet so dedicated to the party.
Of course, it wasn't just a matter of luck that things aligned this way.
It was thanks to the rumors I had spread before the election season began that Daniel O'Connell would be far more active in Ireland during this general election.
The number of Irish seats the Conservative Party had won in the previous election was just over twenty.
Even that was only achieved by sweeping Northern Ireland, which was favorable to the Conservatives; they had been utterly devastated from the Midlands down.
No matter how much one might dismiss the Irish, to win an election, you had to secure every possible seat.
During election season, it was no exaggeration to say that Ireland was the most important region in Britain, second only to England itself.
After all, Wales and Scotland combined had just over eighty seats, while Ireland alone had more than a hundred.
*Even if we can't beat Daniel O'Connell, we at least want to secure more seats in Ireland than the Whigs.*
This was likely the candid sentiment of the Conservative leadership at this point.
In such a situation, when I, the heir to the long-standing House of Earl Aaron in Northern Ireland, offered to step up, they had no choice but to welcome me with open arms.
My steps were lighter not only because of the political gains but also because I would get to see a welcome face after a long time.
We had exchanged letters regularly, but it had been over two years since we had actually seen each other.
That was why I felt a slight shock when I met my father again, waiting at the estate.
It wasn't for any other reason than that he looked far more gaunt and thin than I remembered.
"Father, if your health was this poor, you should have called for me. Or at least told me."
"London is so far from here. How could I ask you to come and go for such a matter? James tells me you don't rest all week except when you sleep."
"Still, this is not right. You didn't even call me for Mother's funeral."
"That was because her family said they would handle it, and the timing was not good. Besides, if you had come, the atmosphere might have become awkward, so they probably thought it was for the best that you didn't. Cecilia didn't come either, and everyone knows you're working hard for her in London, so there's no need to worry."
The Earl of Aaron's wife and I shared not a single drop of blood, and she passed away without us ever having met, so calling her Mother felt awkward.
Still, she was my mother on paper, so I honestly never imagined I wouldn't even be called to her funeral.
The physical distance between Northern Ireland and London was great, but this felt wrong.
"No matter how busy I am, it is my duty as a human being to look after my family's well-being. Mother's funeral is in the past, but if I were to remain in London, ignorant of my father's worsening health, what kind of treatment would I receive from the local people?"
"I'm telling you, there's no need to worry. My energy may have waned a bit, but I have no trouble handling the estate's affairs. In fact, I've been managing things with much more enthusiasm lately, and my reputation around here has improved. If you don't believe me, go out and ask around. I've spent the last two years thoroughly laying the groundwork for when you inherit this place."
Surely his declining health wasn't because of that, was it?
As I watched him in silence, my father smiled faintly and shook his head.
"I know what you're thinking, but when you get old, each day is different from the last. I'm well past seventy now. It's only natural that my energy has declined compared to two years ago."
"In that case, why don't you start minimizing your work and focus on recuperating?"
"I know what you mean by that, but it wouldn't be for my benefit. Lately, I've been experiencing a sense of reward and fulfillment I've never known in my life. To ask me to give that up and slowly rot away like a living corpse… I cannot do that."
"…"
Indeed, though his face was haggard, his eyes and expression were more vibrant than ever before.
"You have no idea how much everyone envies me whenever James sends word of your outstanding performance at Eton. And though he didn't give me the details, James repeatedly emphasized that you are not a vessel to be confined to this small corner of Northern Ireland. So, as a father, I can't help but want to build at least a minimal foundation to help you reach higher more easily."
"This isn't just empty flattery; what I've already received is more than enough, so much that I could never repay it in a lifetime."
"There's no need to repay it. Just keep receiving. That is a parent's happiness. There's a lot of talk about the upcoming election. If you achieve good results here, won't it help your standing in the future? I've been diligently sowing the seeds for two years, so you won't have to worry about getting fewer seats than last time."
"…Thank you. I believe this will be a great help."
My sincere gratitude and his pride in having been of great help to his son.
With just those two things, my father gave the brightest smile I had seen on his face all day and nodded in satisfaction.
This support was unexpected, but it would make things much easier.
With the stage set for me like this, failing to perform would be the height of filial impiety, would it not?
I suppose I should go and be a proper, filial son for once.
* * *
"Honorable voters! The Whig Party has failed! With the Whigs' methods, it is impossible to win Ireland's rightful place!"
"Hear, hear!"
"True reform is impossible by blindly clamoring for grand reforms! Paying lip service to reform? We could do that right now! But it would only be met with fierce opposition and run aground. Forcing a child who has not yet learned to walk to run will only make it fall! I promise you! We will never make false promises we cannot keep. Gradually, but surely! We will show you results you can feel!
You must not cling to a mirage, no matter how sweet it may seem! The future of Ireland lies with the Conservative Party!"
"Don't be fooled by silver-tongued liars! To hell with the Whigs!"
My father's claim that he had been working hard behind the scenes was no exaggeration; public opinion of the Whig Party was worse than I had expected.
Of course, it's all in how you frame it. One could also say that the Whigs' reform bills were blocked because the Conservative Party and other vested interests opposed them.
But as they say, he who strikes first wins. In situations like this, the side that agitates first seizes control of public opinion.
My father had framed the entire situation as the fault of the Whig Party's amateurish spirit of mindlessly shouting for reform.
And this aligned perfectly with the direction I had planned beforehand.
My goal was to paint the Conservatives as prudent and professional, while branding the Whigs as hasty and reckless reformists.
Of course, if the Conservative Party had been the same as it was in the original history, this strategy would have had clear limits.
But the current Conservative Party had managed to gain an image of moderate reform by taking a reasonably rational stance on issues like the Factory Act and the Slavery Abolition Act.
It was a two-track strategy: the leadership voiced conservative opinions to reassure existing voters, while younger members advocated for moderate reform to chip away at the Whigs' base.
Being still young, I didn't openly campaign in the election, but I made sure to show my face from time to time by touring the constituencies with promising candidates.
I also diligently managed my image by generously distributing gifts not only to those with voting rights but to ordinary citizens as well.
"A gift from the young master of the House of Aaron! Come and taste this freshly baked, warm bread!"
"But we don't even have the right to vote. Is it really okay for us to take this?"
"Of course. This isn't being given to ask for your vote in the election. What does it matter if you don't have the right to vote? It doesn't make us any less Irish."
"Th-thank you! Thank you so much! We were so tired of eating tasteless potatoes every single day…"
"When our young master comes of age, the day will surely come when you too will live a life that those in England would not envy! Please think of this bread as a promise our young master is making to you."
In this era, it was common sense that there was no need to waste money on the middle and lower classes who lacked voting rights.
But for that very reason, no one seemed to doubt my sincerity.
After all, who would burn money as if it were kindling?
Since I wasn't running in this election myself, I was distributing money from a long-term investment perspective, but only James knew that.
Those who didn't know the extent of my annual cash income or my total assets would have no choice but to feel that the House of Aaron was emptying its private coffers to volunteer.
"Those Whig bastards talk about being for Ireland, but do they ever even come here? All they do is strut around in the capital."
"Even if they do come, they only say nice things to the wealthy who can vote. They don't give a damn about people like us."
"In the end, it seems only someone from our own home soil truly cares for us."
"Come to think of it, aren't those Whigs all talk? They promise this and that, but have any bills that actually benefit us ever been passed?"
Slowly but surely, the shadow of the Whig Party was fading in Ireland.
The decisive blow to this trend was a speech delivered by Daniel O'Connell upon his return to Ireland.
"My dear friends and countrymen! This cannot continue! Through my experience in London, I have come to realize: our hearts must be warm, but our heads must be cool! To achieve true independence, we need to become more level-headed. Arguments to just tear everything down and rebuild will only make independence more difficult. We must unite more strongly among ourselves and clearly show our will!"
"Hoorah! O'Connell! O'Connell!"
"The savior of Ireland! The hope of Ireland!"
His attitude, which had been amicable with the Whig Party until now, changed as if it had all been a lie.
The Whigs were completely blindsided, and the unexpected attack left them unable to respond effectively.
O'Connell's shift raised doubts among the Irish people, making them wonder if there truly was a problem with the Whigs' policies.
The Irish Midlands, where the Whigs had held a relative advantage, turned into a chaotic battleground.
Support for the Conservative Party and O'Connell's Repeal Association crept up, and the election period was far too short for the Whigs to mount a proper defense.
"This will be over even more easily than expected."
James offered a brief assessment as he watched O'Connell deliver a campaign speech, leading his almost fanatical supporters.
"I agree. I expected that side to have this kind of atmosphere, but our side is looking good too. We might take more seats than we thought."
"Young Master, this may be an unfounded concern, but are we not giving Sir O'Connell too much power?"
"You think so? Are you worried he might betray us?"
"No. Knowing you, Young Master, I'm sure you've taken out insurance policies for such an event. However, I am slightly concerned that if Sir O'Connell gains too much power, he might become an obstacle when you later try to take control of Ireland."
If our predictions were correct, O'Connell's Repeal Association would win between 50 and 60 seats this time.
It would certainly be an increase from the 42 seats he won last time, but that wasn't the important part.
What would happen if O'Connell took 60 seats while the Whigs and Conservatives were fiercely competing?
Naturally, the likelihood of either party failing to secure a majority would increase significantly.
In that case, passing any legislation would be impossible without O'Connell's help, and Ireland's presence would inevitably grow.
I had secretly fabricated evidence of his collusion with the Conservatives as a precaution against his betrayal, but it seemed James was more worried about O'Connell's explosive influence itself rather than a potential betrayal.
But what I wanted was for that exact situation to unfold.
"James, I have a question. Everyone I've met so far has told me the same thing: there's a limit to how high someone of Irish descent can rise in this country. If someone were to show that much promise, the establishment would never stand for it. Do you think so too?"
"Well… I suppose that's the unfortunate truth."
"Right? But no one could ever explain exactly how they wouldn't stand for it. Of course they couldn't. Since Ireland was absorbed into this country, no Irishman has ever risen to such a position. So, if an Irishman who the country's establishment perceives as a threat were to actually appear, I need to see for myself how they would try to take him down and devise countermeasures."
"Young Master, surely you don't mean…"
James's mouth fell open as he looked back and forth between O'Connell, who was giving a speech in the distance, and me.
"Sir O'Connell has said he is prepared for it, so I plan to cheer him on from behind and help him if I can. Of course, it would be best if nothing happened at all."
Of course, the fact that 19th-century Britain, teeming with self-proclaimed gentlemen, was not such a tolerant society was a truth known to me, to the heavens, and to us all.
Therefore, I needed to watch closely from behind O'Connell to see just how petty the machinations, slanders, and attacks would be.
There was no guarantee that I wouldn't face similar checks in the future.
Even if I was close with Conservative MPs and had Victoria's backing—no, perhaps precisely because of that—the chances of even more despicable tactics being used against me were high.
Now understanding my intentions, James nodded, letting out a sound that was somewhere between a sigh of admiration and resignation.
In truth, there was one more reason I hadn't mentioned.
I would do my best to defend him, but if the offensive proved fiercer than expected and O'Connell eventually fell…
When I rose to become the new hope of Ireland in his place, how desperate and earnest would the hearts of his supporters be?
Even if someone were to attack me, the people of Ireland, recalling the precedent set with O'Connell, would clench their teeth and try to protect me.
Either way, I had nothing to lose.
"…I hope Sir O'Connell does even better than expected."
"Indeed."
As O'Connell finished his rally to thunderous cheers and applause, James and I sent him our heartfelt encouragement.
* * *
On February 6, 1835, the general election, which had lasted for over a month, came to a close.
Across Britain, some 610,000 voters exercised their right to vote, concluding the entire process.
The grim determination of the Conservative Party, the enduring strength of the still-formidable Whig Party, and the rise of Ireland's Repeal Association, which had completely broken away from the Whigs to forge its own path—this chaotic election produced a result that was chaos itself.
Neither the Conservative Party, which had used every method at its disposal to desperately undermine the Whigs, nor the Whig Party, which had loudly proclaimed itself the only suitable agent of reform while criticizing Conservative corruption, managed to reach the 329-seat majority in the 658-seat parliament.
Whig Party: 320 seats.
Conservative Party: 285 seats.
And Daniel O'Connell's Repeal Association: 53 seats.
"Whigs and Tories Both Fail to Secure a Majority!"
"A Great Upset! The Power to Form a Majority Government Falls to Ireland!"
At a shocking result that no one could have imagined, all of Britain was in an uproar, and the eyes of Westminster and Buckingham Palace turned as one toward Ireland.
Though it was only the beginning, the wheels of time were slowly shifting their course in the direction I desired.
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