The Shadow of Great Britain-Chapter 709 - 341: All Members Are Traitors_3

However, in response, Sir Peel was very sensitive to government debt, and many in the Tory Party felt the same. It would be difficult to pass legislation allowing the government to issue so much construction debt, especially when the returns on the investment were uncertain.

Upon hearing this, Arthur immediately said, "Actually, both of your concerns are unnecessary. In my view, these problems are easily solvable."

Barings gave the young police officer a look and asked, "Do you have a good solution?"

Arthur began, "I fully understand the Whig Party representatives’ concerns about maintaining Britain’s tradition of freedom. But time flows and traditions are always changing. Just like at the end of the last century, when many within the Whig Party had great enthusiasm for the French Revolution, Edmond Burke once extolled the virtues of the French Revolution.

But as the crazed waves of the Great Revolution climbed higher, the gentlemen slowly cooled down. Looking back at that time, they realized that some of their views were merely heat of the moment. It seemed that almost overnight, the entire ethos of the Whig Party had changed."

What holds now does not mean it will hold in the future. I believe that if they continue to waver on the issue of cholera prevention, when disaster strikes them personally, they will agree to sacrifice a part of their freedom for the health of the society as a whole."

If you observe carefully, you’ll notice that public opinion in society has already changed a lot since cholera first struck. Previously, traditional views in British society viewed infectious diseases as diseases of the poor. But now, just flip through London’s newspapers, and all the editorials are starting to focus on the impact of poor living conditions, lack of clothing, filthy environments, and indulgent lifestyles on health."

Although gentlemen and ladies have always been concerned about poverty, the fact that it is discussed almost daily like it is now is unprecedented. The slogan ’cleanliness is next to godliness’ proclaimed by the Bishop of Exeter has almost become a creed; perhaps it can even be engraved on his tombstone in the future."

As a prominent figure in London’s publishing world, Disraeli naturally knew about this change in attitudes. As a forward-thinking writer, he had already begun to plan a new book around this new hot topic.

Not only that, but he even planned to bring Dickens in on a big collaboration.

Although they were regarded as vanguards of fashion novels, Disraeli did not see this as a good reputation. Even though he made his fortune through writing fashion novels, he believed that to become a great writer like Shakespeare, one must produce works that are deep and substantive, drawing closer to Britain’s traditional literature.

After all, he had been quite displeased with the group from Blackwood’s, who boasted themselves as the utmost literary taste in Britain, for quite some time.

Disraeli agreed, saying,

"Actually, I too have noticed this change. Previously, our upper and middle classes always upheld the idea of liberty, not too keen on interfering with the lifestyles of the lower class.

But in these few months, I don’t know how, they have all shifted their focus and are now more willing to share their healthy lifestyles with them. It started with tactful advice and moved to passionate criticism, almost vigorous; and now some gentlemen and ladies even hope to adopt some... umm... active, proactive, less free methods to ’help’ them change their living habits.

This year’s criticism of the workers’ ’drunken’ behavior might be the largest scale I have ever witnessed. And the bishops are surprised at suddenly gaining so many supporters; the group of bishops in the House of Lords even hopes to use this opportunity to push for a national prohibition, and if they could also ban opiates, that would be even better..."

Barings just coughed lightly upon hearing this, "Mr. Disraeli, you’ve strayed too far."

Disraeli understood what Barings meant.

Although he and Barings shared similar views on urban reform, due to their different party affiliations, their fundamental support bases still differed.

Disraeli’s rise to power relied on playing the traditional card, and it was appropriate for him to speak on behalf of conservative factions like the clergy.

But behind Barings were the entire London Financial City and British trading groups; for these people, there was no discussing either alcohol prohibition or opium bans.

However, accordingly, if it really came to the point of prohibiting alcohol or opium, allowing the Whig Party to expand the powers of the Health Committee seemed not entirely out of the question. After all, with the current state of cholera laid bare, weighing the greater of two benefits or the lesser of two harms made such decisions quite straightforward.

Arthur’s words opened up new avenues of thought for Barings, who raised his eyebrows and suddenly asked Disraeli in a low voice, "If... I mean if... the Tory Party requested the House of Commons to organize an alcohol prohibition committee, do you think there would be a high success rate?"

Disraeli’s smile initially stiffened, and then it bloomed even more brilliantly, "Although the success rate isn’t high, if the bishops are so determined in their resolve, then I, as their loyal supporter, can only make an effort."

Barings solemnly closed his document, "Of course, and although this might offend the sacred dignity of the bishops, I believe that prohibition won’t solve the problem. After all, you also saw that Mr. Hastings, during his time in Liverpool, proposed an important preventative measure, which was to replace unclean drinking water with beer."

Dr. Russell, hearing this, couldn’t help but smile tiredly, "I’ve heard of that too. Arthur Hastings, a Britain Royal cask of 1829 produced by the University of London. I must say, the bishops can truly curse venomously. Actually, compared to drinking those unclean greenish slops, drinking beer might indeed be healthier."

Arthur spoke nonchalantly, "If the bishops looked at our latest report, perhaps they wouldn’t oppose drinking beer as much."

"Hmm?" Dr. Barry asked, "Do you have new developments on this side?"

Arthur nodded slightly, "Actually, after returning to London, I privately sponsored a cholera investigation team based at the University of London Medical School, led by a young man I brought back from Liverpool. It’s his report that convinced me of the certain correlation between cholera and water sources. Of course, my private investigation can at most provide some reference material for Parliament."

However, I think if the gentlemen of the Whig Party want to clarify that there is no inevitable link between cholera and drinking beer, it would be best to initiate a dedicated cholera source investigation committee in the House of Commons. If they are willing to do that, I would be very happy to share the data I currently have."

Upon hearing this, Barings burst out laughing and raised his beer to toast with Arthur, "Great minds think alike. Mr. Hastings, in my view, Guinness and Chivas should both give you a share of their advertising budget."

Arthur just chuckled upon hearing this, waving his hand, "Mr. Barings, you misunderstand. I’m just a minor policeman at Scotland Yard. If they really want to advertise, they can discuss it in detail with Mr. Disraeli."