Chapter 454 The Heavy Responsibility Lies on Our Shoulders

"These plans are too many, and are the Dominions and Crown Territories similar?" Prime Minister Attlee's disgust when he took Norman Brooke was the same as the Colonial Secretary's. There was nothing special about it. .

"Actually, my colleagues also believe that the Dominion Plan is unnecessary. It is more appropriate to retain only the Royal Territory Plan." Norman Brooke heard this and further said, "This can avoid the Dominion, which is a name born out of the colony, to be more meaningful. Contribute to Newfoundland’s long-term connection with the mainland.”

"Is that so? But Canada's ideas must also be considered." Attlee nodded clearly, but still mentioned the importance of the relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom. After all, after the United States cut off loans, Canada provided A loan of US$1.2 billion helped Britain tide over the difficulties, and he has not forgotten it so quickly.

"Dear Prime Minister, in principle, of course we pay more attention to Canada's relations. We can ignore the general colonies, but Newfoundland is an exception. Newfoundland is the first overseas territory of the British Empire and a member of the global empire. The starting point. It has always been on the same level as Canada. Based on the current situation, the local residents are very disgusted with the merger with Canada."

Norman Brooke said with a heavy face, "This is very difficult. If it is too forced and arouses resentment among Newfoundland citizens, will they choose to join the United States?"

Prime Minister Attlee's expression tightened and he immediately said, "London has never thought about using any coercive means to force Newfoundland and Canada to merge. London respects the public opinion of Newfoundland."

"In addition to joining the United States!" Norman Brooke added after the Prime Minister finished speaking, "Of course, judging from the current situation, the possibility of Newfoundland joining the United States is very low, mainly due to the restoration of the Dominion and the merger of Canada. The former occupies a major position, but once it is restored to an autonomous domain, Newfoundland's population cannot fully support a country's foreign affairs, internal affairs, and military, so converting it into a royal territory is a compromise."

"Is that so?" Attlee fell into deep thought after listening to Norman Brooke's statement.

Norman Brooke watched the Prime Minister's thinking calmly. He never believed that the Prime Minister and ministers were superior to others. Even though these ruling parties were elected by the people, in fact, the elected government was no different from civil servants, and their power came from the monarch.

Because in the final analysis, Norman Brooke believed that the establishment of the British civil service system was based on the delegation system.

Powers are granted by the monarch, and these powers are obtained through delegation. Coupled with the balance of elected government and party political power, the powers originally derived from the monarch's authorization still need the approval of ministers before they can be implemented.

The cabinet secretary only has a "consultative" position in name only.

The real power is quite limited, so it can only return to the administrative track.

This is why the long-term plans of cabinet secretaries are often not considered "leadership plans". For them, the ambitions in the eyes of these politicians are just longer-term administrative plans.

However, this historical inheritance of long-term administrative planning also made British civil servants have a great sense of identification with the past glory of the empire. This was often reflected in the native officials who were included in the high-level civil service system in the colonies. It can be said that the British officials are the ones who miss the imperial era the most.

In other words, whoever serves as cabinet secretary must find a way to keep as many overseas territories as possible. It doesn't matter if they don't become colonies, or they can just be loyal to His Majesty the King. Anyway, the democratically elected government also comes from the authorization of the King.

Only by retaining as many overseas territories as possible can civil servants have enough battlefields to fight against these democratically elected governments. As for what these overseas territories are called, it is not very important. They can be called anything. There is nothing wrong with calling them royal territories.

Unlike his predecessor, Norman Brooke did not just accept the supervision of ministers one-sidedly. He also believed that Whitehall also had the power to supervise ministers, and that checks and balances between the two were indispensable.

When Norman Brooke left No. 10 Downing Street, the four proposals for the Newfoundland referendum became three. Converting to a Crown Domain, annexing Canada, and maintaining a sentient government meant maintaining the status quo and continuing to maintain colonial status.

In fact, only two of the three options are actually feasible, namely merging with Canada and becoming a royal territory. Even Norman Brooke himself did not believe that Newfoundlanders preferred to remain a colony.

"Then, Markins, I leave this matter to you." Alan Wilson paused at this point, "Lord Sheffield, is he a trustworthy person?"

"Of course, Alan, I understand your difficulties very much." If Makins was an Oriental, he would have said that it is normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. But, even in the UK, a man has one wife and one wife. It’s normal for women of the same status, so it’s not a big deal.

Makins understands very well, just like the noble Crown Prince husband Prince Philip, doesn’t he also have some romantic affairs?

Although Alan Wilson could not stay in London for too long, as a person who valued time, after he handed over the three proposals selected by the cabinet secretary to the Newfoundland representative, he still asked Audrey Hepburn to go to the opera. .

Even though he has never been interested in so-called opera, and it has always been that way. Generally speaking, the members who often come to the opera are a group of ordinary people. Most of them live in the business district - stockbrokers, lawyers, auctioneers, you name it. Many people are tough-minded but don't have high opinions. , these people do not think highly of the class to which they belong.

According to the Soviets, this kind of petty bourgeoisie is weak. Although it is dissatisfied with the status quo, it has no possibility of revolution and can only blame itself for the current status quo.

At least now Alan Wilson understands one thing. Audrey Hepburn really likes to watch operas. She tried her best to pretend as if nothing happened, but she could tell that she was very happy.

Naturally, Alan Wilson also pretended to be immersed in it, but in fact he was still thinking about how to deal with the Newfoundland referendum. Although he was young, he no longer believed in all kinds of political ideas under the guise of asking for help for the people. I know better than most people that those political opinions are “rubbish.”

But it didn't matter. Every time Audrey Hepburn couldn't help but applaud, he, the king of fans, felt the same way.

Accompanied by the applause of the opera house, the curtain fell. Alan Wilson grabbed Audrey Hepburn's little hand and stood up, but then he seemed to remember something and put his hand down with a complicated look.

It's time for this young generation who is about to rise on the screen to experience the results of Greta Garbo's words and deeds.

At least he wasn't pretending at all. Alan Wilson still couldn't control his instinctive reaction, and he didn't have the protective color of a black man. Anyone could tell that he was embarrassed by his red face, but he still kept a straight face as if nothing had happened.

This also made Audrey Hepburn see it. Although she had not experienced it yet, she could feel that the way this man had just shown it was that he clearly liked her.

After putting on the mask, Alan Wilson returned to normal. As the crowd slowly walked out of the theater, it seemed normal to hold Audrey Hepburn's hand because of the large audience.

In a short corridor, Audrey Hepburn, who was holding hands, looked at the man who was looking intently several times. The man's palms were sweaty.

"I will return to Newfoundland in the next few days to deal with the referendum." Alan Wilson walked out of the theater and said in a gentle voice, "There is an opportunity. I will help you fight for it. In a week, you will go to the London Municipal Government." Find Marks in the hall, and he will arrange a video for you to audition. The theme is a day in the life of a London girl, which will be published in a magazine. Of course, this is not a long-term job. My friend has found a chorus place in a West End choir. If you feel If you are interested, you can try it, it won’t be too tiring, and it won’t delay your own plans.”

"Alan, are you leaving so soon?" Audrey Hepburn was not very happy, but she immediately reacted, "Thank you for your help. I mean, your work seems to be very busy."

"Maybe it will be easier in the future. Maybe this is life. Sometimes this happens." Alan Wilson tilted his head and looked into Audrey Hepburn's eyes. "We will always meet again, right?"

Alan Wilson knew that he couldn't eat hot tofu in a hurry, and there were more important things waiting for him now. The relationship between the two heads of civil servants was no longer as sweet as it was at the beginning.

He couldn't reconcile this matter, he just hoped it wouldn't affect his plans. In fact, from a psychological point of view, he supported Norman Brooke's attempt to clarify the boundaries of ministerial responsibilities and adopt a check and balance approach.

But career matters often have nothing to do with right or wrong, so it's better to stay away from them.

But at least on the Newfoundland referendum, the two heads of civil servants had no differences. Alan Wilson got Norman Brooke's revised version of the plan, "I thought the option to merge with Canada would be taken away."

"Of course I want to do this, but London cannot make this kind of decision." Norman Brooke took a deep breath and said, "So the Newfoundland referendum, Alan, is up to you."

"I will do my best." Alan Wilson nodded. This time he returned to Newfoundland to hold a referendum. The future is still uncertain, and he is still worried at this time.

"Alan, Edward and I actually disagree on some things, but we still have common views on many things. For example..." Norman Brook pondered for a moment after saying this, "He and I both think that you are a Very reliable guy, very trustworthy.”