Chapter 353: Chapter 353: The Nobles Donate First
In August, the British Parliament passed a vote of no confidence. The Conservative Party attempted to renew its term by replacing the cabinet but was thwarted by outraged citizens storming the debating chamber. Ultimately, Parliament had no choice but to call for a new election.
In September, the People's Party won consecutive districts, defeating the Conservative and Labour parties with an absolute majority, securing 80% of the seats in Parliament.
As the leader of the People's Party, Patrick naturally became the new Prime Minister.
Upon taking office, Patrick immediately initiated the drafting of a constitution.
As the first country to establish constitutional monarchy, Britain paradoxically lacked a comprehensive "constitution." Its so-called constitution was a series of laws and cases starting from the "Magna Carta," many of which had lost their application scenarios and contained outdated expressions. To avoid complications, the British had always adopted a state of "not abolished but not used," running these laws in a form of conventional practice.
What the British had failed to achieve in hundreds of years, Patrick sought to accomplish, albeit with substantial difficulties. However, with Murphy's help, a large number of wizards entered Parliament, effectively transmitting the Prime Minister's will through the cabinet and smoothly implementing it through parliamentary officers.
Thus, merely three months later, a constitution was drafted.
To many conservative Britons, some parts of this document seemed outrageous, such as abolishing the ruling power of all parties except the People's Party. From then on, Britain would be governed solely by the People's Party.
The Parliament, under normal circumstances, would only be responsible for legislation, and the Prime Minister would remain in office until the end of the election period, with Parliament having virtually no power to impeach or interfere.
This was just the first version.
Patrick also prepared a second version, which was even more direct, proposing to abolish the monarchy and the House of Lords altogether, transitioning Britain from a constitutional monarchy to a presidential system.
Upon the release of the first version of the constitution, opposition was inevitable. However, Patrick declared a state of war, implementing controls on public opinion and protests, while the media vigorously promoted the new constitution's strengthening and clarification of citizens' rights.
Simultaneously, the government rapidly rolled out policies, investing heavily in health, education, infrastructure, etc. As for funding, they significantly reduced various tax avoidance policies, imposing heavy taxes on the top 10% who owned half of the nation's wealth, especially the top 1%.
Concerning capital flight, it didn't matter. Let them flee. The umbrella was more than capable of taking over their market share.
A month after declaring a state of war, Britain did something that astounded the world: forming an alliance with the Soviet Union.
In fact, the Anglo-Soviet alliance benefited both sides.
First, Britain could gain a certain degree of autonomy through the Soviet Union's formidable military strength, at least no longer militarily and security-wise constrained by America.
Second, as a venerable industrial nation, Britain's light industry far surpassed that of the Soviet Union. It could help improve the Soviet people's lives while stimulating the Soviet market.
Lastly, as two essential components of Murphy's plan, their union allowed Murphy to coordinate efforts, achieving rational resource allocation and gradually expanding the application of magic within both countries, aiming for mutual development and more significant achievements.
...
Number 10 Downing Street.
Murphy walked around before returning to the tea table.
"How does it feel to be Prime Minister, Lord Patrick?" Murphy teased.
"Busy, too busy... If it weren't for my family moving here, I wouldn't even have time to see Ares every day," Patrick sighed. "And I can feel many people want to kill me. Are we taking steps too big?"
"Time waits for no one, Patrick," Murphy sighed. "The time we have to develop freely won't last long."
"What do you mean?" Patrick furrowed his brows.
"The existence of magic can't be hidden for long. Soon, more competitors outside our alliance will join the research on magic. The good days of claiming uncharted territory are now. So, we must expand our territory and maintain our lead while they haven't arrived yet."
"No wonder your actions have become much more aggressive lately."
Murphy smiled bitterly. Whether it was blowing up over a hundred members of the Wizarding Council, provoking a localized war between Britain and America, helping Patrick rise to power, drafting the constitution, forming an Anglo-Soviet alliance, etc., all were decisions with profound and far-reaching impacts. He had acted without the luxury of thorough consideration.
Part of the reason he shared with Patrick was true.
However, there was a more significant concern for him.
The deities.
The breaking of the Secrecy Law was inevitable.
Muggles' development would gradually encroach upon wizards' living space. Unless wizards followed Grindelwald's old path of slaughtering, conquering, and domesticating "non-magicals," or Muggles, as harmless slaves, magic would eventually be discovered by Muggle society.
Murphy's choice, while somewhat selfish, conformed to this inevitable historical trend. In this sense, he even chose the most beneficial and least harmful way for humanity as a whole.
However, the consequences of breaking the Secrecy Law, or rather, the "Fidelius Charm," could bring about a terrifying enemy.
The deities.
Both Dumbledore and the Holy Mother had made the consequences clear enough.
Murphy's path to becoming a god through the integration of science and magic was far from complete. It was just the beginning, not even halfway there. Now, facing real deities, Murphy, though prepared, still felt somewhat helpless.
Reality is such, enemies won't wait for you to level up before attacking.
But if the enemy is strong, should we not fight?
Should we continue to retreat, isolate ourselves, limit, castrate, and nullify ourselves, spending a lifetime in ignorance and denial?
Many might be able to do so, perhaps even the British.
But not Murphy.
That wasn't his path.
Among the many lessons and teachings his true ancestors left him, none was more bloody and naked than this: facing threats, compromise and retreat only invite more bullying and humiliation. Only by fighting can one survive and win dignity.
So, he had no hesitation about his direction.
He just wondered how long before the enemy would come. Until then, he must make the most thorough preparations possible.
"Patrick," Murphy said, "it's time for the umbrella to venture into the military field. Especially after the recent incident with America, we suffered a loss. Look, such a large missile could get lost; what if they bomb Downing Street next time? Or Buckingham Palace? It's logical to develop some military technologies and launch a few major national defense projects."
"..." Patrick was somewhat amused and exasperated. Wasn't that your doing, sir? And now you want to bomb me too?
"But... the military budget..."
"Feel free to tax the umbrella," Murphy said generously, then added, "But not just the umbrella. Tax rates for high-profit industries can also be increased."
"Don't worry, the umbrella will be the first to support you." The nobles donate first, as the saying goes, familiar.
Patrick rolled his eyes. So, tax the umbrella and then cycle the money back through national defense procurement, right? And for other companies, naturally, it's a split of profits.
"How about it?"
"Brilliant!"
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