《No, Minister.(存一下英文版)》用其他笔名

34、[Special 2] S00E02 In the Spotlight

　　Department of Synergy Coordination, Office of the Acting Permanent Secretary.
　　Alistair was at his desk, working. A small television set, diagonal to him, was playing silently.
　　He raised his right hand to check his wristwatch, then picked up the telephone receiver and dialled the internal number for his private office.
　　"Sir?" came the voice of the duty secretary.
　　"Get me the Treasury, Sir Douglas's private secretary. Tell him I may need to have an urgent call with Sir Douglas at around eleven o'clock," Alistair said, holding the receiver with one hand while continuing to read a document.
　　"Yes, I know it's late. Convey my apologies. Yes, just after Newsnight finishes. No, book the line now. He will understand. And please ensure the line is clear. If he calls back early, put him through to me at any time. Thank you."
　　The line went dead.
　　Alistair signed the document before him with his pen, then rose and walked to the television, turning the volume knob.
　　The opening theme of Newsnight began, accompanied by the image of a rotating globe.
　　"Ten seconds."
　　The director's countdown came through the earpiece. The cameras glided silently to different angles.
　　"Three."
　　"Two."
　　"One."
　　The red 'ON AIR' light lit up. The live broadcast began.
　　"Good evening," Peter Paxman said, his hands resting naturally on the news desk, the background a deep blue. "Tonight, we are privileged to have with us a Minister from a new department in the new government, the Secretary of State for Synergy Coordination, The Right Honourable Charles Hyde. Minister, welcome." He turned slightly to look at Charles, seated beside him.
　　"Good evening," Charles said, first to the camera, then turning to the host. "It's a pleasure to be here, Peter."
　　"Minister Hyde, the name of your department sounds both grand and vague. Many people are not even clear on its specific duties. Could you tell our viewers, in simple terms, what exactly this department does?"
　　"Of course, Peter," Charles nodded gently. "Simply put, our job is to make sure the government's left hand knows what its right hand is doing. When a problem, such as the fishing crisis, simultaneously involves agriculture, the environment, tourism, and finance, a department is needed to ensure all policies can work in synergy, rather than against each other."
　　Paxman raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat surprised that he had brought this up voluntarily, but he went with it. "Speaking of the fishing crisis, your visit to Cornwall last week attracted a great deal of attention. That visit ended in a rather memorable fashion. We saw some very dramatic pictures."
　　He gestured with one hand. On a small screen behind them, a clear photograph appeared. It was the picture of Charles in his wretched state in Cornwall.
　　"In the morning, you made promises to the fishermen; in the afternoon, you cut the ribbon for a feast celebrating consumption. Your opponents have mockingly called you 'Mr Hyde and Jekyll'. My question is, what synergistic role did you, and this department designed for synergy and coordination, play in these two diametrically opposed events?"
　　The camera focused on Charles, including the screen beside him in the shot.
　　In the control room, Cyril, who was taking notes in pencil, unconsciously made a rather deep dot in his notebook.
　　The question, while seemingly asking about 'synergy', was in fact forcing Charles to defend himself against a PR disaster.
　　The appearance of the photograph was a naked visual pressure tactic.
　　However, the safety script had a prepared reference answer for such questions.
　　For example: The trip to Cornwall was a fruitful and frank exchange, which profoundly revealed the complex predicament of local communities when facing national and international policy challenges. The core duty of the DSC is precisely to identify and coordinate these seemingly contradictory interests. We listened deeply to the legitimate demands of the fishermen, and also felt the vitality of the diverse development of the local economy. Although there were some minor incidents on site, they have not changed our determination to face the problem and seek a solution. Our department has already begun to translate this local feedback into viable synergistic topics at the central government level…
　　Denis instinctively touched his forehead, waiting for the Minister's reply on the monitor.
　　Charles glanced at the picture on the screen, then turned his gaze back to Paxman, his face showing none of the negative emotion the host might have expected.
　　"Peter, I must admit, that is a rather good photograph. It has impact. It's probably the moment in my life I would least like to have immortalised. I completely understand why some people see it that way. 'Mr Hyde and Jekyll' is a very clever pun."
　　He smiled disarmingly. "Yes, on that day in Cornwall, I did indeed show people two seemingly opposite sides."
　　"Oh? Are you admitting to your two-faced nature, Minister?"
　　"I'm talking about the two sides of reality, Peter," Charles shook his head gently. "What I saw in the morning was the severe challenge facing Cornwall's fishing industry; what I saw in the afternoon was the huge potential of Cornwall's tourism and catering industry. They are both part of Cornwall's economic reality."
　　He made a gesture. "Our fishing communities are struggling for their livelihoods, while our tourism and catering industries are important pillars of the local economy. Both exist simultaneously, and they are full of contradictions. My duty, the DSC's duty, is precisely to face it, to find a way to make these two sides coexist harmoniously, to find a sustainable way forward. If I had only attended one of the events, that would have been truly 'two-faced'."
　　"A noble goal, it sounds," Paxman quickly seized back the initiative. "But the reality is, the promises you made that morning—for instance, to investigate enforcement and pollution issues—sounded more like expedients. Can you tell us, have those promises seen any substantive progress?"
　　"Of course, Peter. I'm glad you asked, because it gives me an opportunity to clarify some facts." Charles leaned forward slightly, looking into the camera ahead. "Those promises were by no means expedients. They were the beginning of action."
　　His pace was unhurried, but every word was clear and forceful. "The very day after my trip to Cornwall ended, my department had already 'issued a formal list of questions' to the Department of the Environment, the Ministry of Defence, and the Treasury."
　　"'A list of questions'?" Paxman seized on the phrase. "Minister Hyde, are you investigating your cabinet colleagues?"
　　"No, Peter. We are coordinating," Charles corrected.
　　"We are simply bringing back and organising the questions, ensuring they are placed on the right desks and given the attention they deserve." He listed the main issues one by one. "We are asking the DoE why the pollution problem in the River Fal has not been solved for years; we are asking the MoD why our patrol teams have not effectively stopped the illegal fishing by foreign vessels; we are asking the HMT why the application process for fuel subsidies is so complex that those who need it most can hardly get it."
　　"So, Minister Hyde, what if a department is slow to respond to your questions, or fob you off with a load of bureaucratic jargon?"
　　"Peter, I am confident that my cabinet colleagues and the excellent civil servants they lead will, in the common goal of serving the public, provide a positive and constructive response. This is the very embodiment of the spirit of synergy of this coalition government."
　　Charles delivered the prepared answer, but immediately added: "I trust the DoE will soon provide the latest monitoring reports for all licensed polluting enterprises in the Fal river basin; and the MoD is in the process of compiling and confirming the patrol logs and enforcement records for the past six months off the Cornish coast; and we will be discussing with HMT officials how to simplify the technical barriers in the current application process for fuel subsidies for individual fishermen."
　　A flicker of surprise crossed Paxman's face. He clearly had not expected him to be so specific.
　　In the control room, Denis heard this and unconsciously muttered a string of "No"s.
　　He turned to Cyril, who was jotting down keywords in his notebook. "He shouldn't have said that last part."
　　"You'll get used to it. The Minister's improvisation," Cyril replied with a resigned expression. "Our job is to factor in all the variables and prepare different contingency plans. To ensure that when things happen, the whole system is ready, or at least not as caught off guard as we were in Cornwall."
　　"By the way…" he lowered his voice. "You shouldn't have commented on that."
　　Denis immediately shut his mouth.
　　He remembered asking the Acting Permanent Secretary earlier why those two slightly risky proposals had been added to the Minister's script. Alistair's reply came back to him:
　　"…We have two choices. Option A is to veto the proposal and then face a Minister who, in his dissatisfaction, might go completely off-script live on air and create an even bigger disaster. Option B is to accept the Minister's core demands and then package them as a manageable risk as best we can. Our job is not to prevent the Minister from having political ambitions; it is to ensure that in the process of realising those ambitions, he doesn't blow up the whole ship. Go on, we need to prepare draft press releases with different wording, to describe 'a successful policy communication', 'a frank policy discussion', and 'a challenging exchange caused by media misinterpretation'. I'm sure you're up to the task."
　　Denis turned his gaze back to the monitor, waiting for the second risk point to emerge.
　　In the studio, Paxman astutely judged that getting bogged down in administrative details with a well-prepared minister would only make the programme tedious.
　　A good interviewer knows when to press on and when to change the battlefield.
　　"Very specific expectations, Minister. We will wait with you for the responses from these departments."
　　He did not dwell on the 'list of questions', but immediately moved to the next topic. "Now, let's talk about another very specific promise you made in Cornwall. You promised an old fisherman named John Tregenza that you would personally call the bank to get him a loan extension. Did you fulfil that promise?"
　　"Yes, I made that call," Charles nodded.
　　Paxman raised an eyebrow. "May I ask, is it appropriate for a Cabinet Minister to use his position to pressure a commercial bank? Are you coordinating, or coercing, Minister Hyde?"
　　"Peter, I was not 'coordinating', and certainly not 'coercing'. I was simply, as a British citizen, asking a director at a bank to take another look at a file on his desk," Charles shook his head.
　　"I told him that behind that file was not just a number, but a man who had contributed to this country his entire life, a man who could lose everything because of the slowness and rigidity of government policy. I did not ask them to forgive his debt. I simply asked them to give this man a little time, before the gears of Whitehall have a chance to turn."
　　"But you are a Cabinet Minister. Your request itself carries pressure. If the bank ultimately agrees to an extension, how are we to know if it was based on compassionate grounds, or because they did not dare to offend a powerful Cabinet Minister? Have you set a dangerous precedent for future government intervention in the market?" Paxman pressed.
　　"You raise a very important question, Peter. About the boundaries of power, and the setting of precedents."
　　Charles interlaced his hands on the news desk and met Paxman's scrutinising gaze.
　　"Yes, I am a Cabinet Minister. And for that very reason, I see more clearly a dangerous precedent being set—that is, when government policy-making cannot keep pace with reality, ordinary citizens will pay an unbearable price. Mr John Tregenza's plight is not an isolated case. It is a microcosm of a collective problem."
　　"My call to the bank was not to create a precedent of 'ministerial intervention in the market'. On the contrary, I was trying to prevent a precedent of 'government sitting by while citizens go bankrupt due to procedural rigidity' from becoming the norm," he said, opening a hand.
　　"The real problem exposed by that phone call is this: why is there no legal, efficient channel in our system to deal with emergencies like Mr Tregenza's? Why is it that the only hope for a hardworking fisherman who has toiled his whole life, when faced with a policy-induced crisis, is the good fortune of getting a phone call from a minister?"
　　"This should not be the norm. This must be changed. Therefore, to establish a fairer, more efficient procedure, rather than relying on fortunate, accidental interventions…"
　　Charles paused, then turned to the camera.
　　"So—"
　　He looked directly into the lens, his open hand returning to the desk.
　　"Tonight, I am announcing that the Department of Synergy Coordination will take the lead in establishing a feasibility study group, to conduct a study into the possibility of setting up a 'Fisheries Community Emergency Hardship Fund'."
　　"A brand new fund?" On screen, Paxman turned almost completely to face Charles.
　　"Minister Hyde, what is the scale of this fund? Where will the money come from? May I ask if you have already obtained the consent of the Treasury before making this announcement?"
　　Alistair, listening to the host's long string of questions, picked up the phone that rang beside him.
　　"Sir, Sir Douglas from the Treasury is on the line."
　　"Put him through."
　　There was a moment of silence on the other end before a voice spoke. "...Alistair, I assume our television sets are tuned to the same channel."
　　"I believe so," Alistair said apologetically. "My apologies for disturbing you so late, Sir Douglas."
　　"He still said it, in front of the whole country," Douglas's voice was full of an 'I-told-you-so' dissatisfaction.
　　In the shot, Charles was smiling as he answered the host's question. "This is a feasibility study group, Peter. Its task is precisely to answer the questions you just raised: the reasonable scale of the fund, a sustainable source of funding, and how to construct an efficient operational model that adheres to fiscal discipline."
　　"You haven't answered my core question, Minister. Was the Treasury aware of and did they consent to the launch of this study beforehand?" The camera cut to Paxman.
　　"I thought your minister was only going to mention the 'fisheries fund' study on television. I didn't expect him to prepare an appetiser for me as well," Douglas said, watching the host on screen press for a 'Yes or No' answer, and taking a sip of the drink in his hand. "'Simplifying the fuel subsidy application process'? You didn't mention that yesterday."
　　"Please answer my question directly, Minister Hyde," the host's voice pressed in the background.
　　"…Peter, this government is a coalition government. I am confident that my cabinet colleagues all understand the necessity of synergy."
　　Alistair shook his head in resignation.
　　"Sir Douglas, the part about the fuel subsidies was in last week's memorandum," he said, leaning back in his chair. "But regarding the mention of specific details in the interview, please accept my apologies. The Minister felt it necessary to show the public that the government is actively solving problems."
　　"So, the answer is 'No'. You did not obtain the prior consent of the Treasury," Paxman interrupted Charles's speech.
　　On the other end of the line, Douglas let out an ambiguous humph.
　　"'Solving problems'? I would prefer to call it 'disregarding fiscal discipline'."
　　The sound of a glass being put down on a table.
　　"I told you last night, Alistair. No matter how you package it, this is a blatant disregard for budgetary discipline. Your minister has now put us in an extremely passive position. With a feasibility study, he has planted a future expenditure item in the public's mind. Now, the whole of Britain is waiting for me—or rather, for the Treasury—to nod."
　　"Perhaps… we could also see it as an opportunity, Sir Douglas," Alistair guided. "An opportunity to intervene early, and to frame a new expenditure proposal from its very source. The political pressure from Cornwall is real. Rather than letting this issue continue to ferment in Parliament and the media, ultimately forcing the government to hastily roll out a costly, ill-conceived plan, it is better for us, from the very beginning, to establish the most stringent procedural safeguards for it. The Minister has channelled a great pressure that could have escalated into a national protest into a controllable track. A track we had already reached a preliminary consensus on last night."
　　"The consensus was that the Treasury would not object to your 'exploring the possibility'," Douglas interjected.
　　"But your minister's wording just now was 'take the lead in establishing'," he added with a meaningful emphasis. "It sounds like the train has already left the station. Alistair, I now need a reason to explain to Number 10 why the Treasury allowed this train to depart."
　　"That is precisely why I am calling tonight," Alistair seized the signal. "To ensure that this train, from the very beginning, runs on the right track, and that we jointly control its speed and direction. I formally invite the Treasury to appoint a Deputy Secretary-level official to serve as Co-chair of this feasibility study group."
　　"That is not enough, Alistair. This will set a dangerous precedent."
　　"Of course. We understand that completely," Alistair agreed. "The Minister just mentioned the fuel subsidies. We all know that MAFF's existing fishery subsidy programmes are numerous, their accounts chaotic, their efficiency low, and have long been a focus of the Public Accounts Committee. This study provides a perfect opportunity for a thorough, inter-departmental review."
　　"We can bundle the 'feasibility assessment of the new fund' with a 'Value for Money assessment of existing MAFF-related subsidy programmes'. If the study concludes that establishing a single, new fund can replace and optimise those old subsidies, thereby achieving fiscal neutrality or even savings in the long run… that would be a very attractive policy proposal for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee."
　　The other end of the line was silent, apparently weighing the feasibility.
　　"Of course, to achieve this requires precise coordination and information integration. The Treasury's expertise lies in financial scrutiny and rule-making. And we, at the Department of Synergy Coordination, can take on the responsibility of agenda-setting, information collation, and inter-departmental communication," Alistair continued.
　　He paused, then added, "Specifically, the DSC would be responsible for convening meetings, coordinating topics, collecting data and policy positions from all relevant departments, and organising and analysing this information into a summary of policy options to be submitted to the study group. The Treasury, on the other hand, could focus on conducting the most stringent financial feasibility assessment and the final veto or approval of the options we provide."
　　"Alistair, by nine o'clock tomorrow morning, I want a memorandum on my desk regarding the 'draft terms of reference for the study group' you have just proposed. It must clearly state the co-chairmanship of the Treasury representative, and the role of the DSC as the secretariat and information coordinator," Douglas finally spoke again.
　　"Of course, Sir Douglas," Alistair replied. "The memorandum will be on your desk on time tomorrow morning. It will clearly define that the DSC is responsible for the process, and the Treasury is responsible for the result."
　　"And," Douglas added, "don't let your minister give us any more 'surprises'."
　　"I will do my utmost."
　　The line went dead.
　　On the television, the interview with Charles was also drawing to a close.
　　"For those facing hardship, any wait is a long one. Therefore, I have instructed my department to advance this study with the utmost speed. Our goal is to produce a viable plan as quickly as possible. I have asked my department to release an interim progress report to the public within three months, to ensure the entire process is transparent and efficient."
　　Charles gave a confident yet humble smile to the camera. "As for the funding, that is the core issue the study group needs to address. I am confident that through synergistic inter-departmental efforts, we will find a solution that is both responsible to the taxpayer and provides critical support to our important industries."
　　"We shall see. Minister Charles Hyde, thank you for being our guest on Newsnight tonight," Paxman said his closing lines as the director counted down.
　　The red light went off. The live broadcast was over.
　　The tense atmosphere in the studio instantly dissipated.
　　Paxman dropped his aggressive demeanour and rose to shake Charles's hand. "A very frank conversation, Minister. Please forgive my impoliteness."
　　"I understand completely, Peter," Charles replied with a smile. "A government that is not challenged by the media is an unhealthy one. Thank you for providing such a platform."
　　He turned and walked towards the studio exit. Cyril and Denis immediately came to meet him.
　　"How did I do?" Charles asked.
　　"Brilliant, Minister," Cyril said sincerely.
　　"Was I?" Charles took the overcoat Cyril handed him and buttoned it up. "I'm guessing tomorrow's Daily Telegraph headline will be 'Hyde Declares War on Treasury', while The Guardian will praise me for 'opening a new chapter in government transparency'. Am I right, Denis?"
　　"A… very successful performance," Denis's face was a mixture of post-disaster relief and admiration. The situation was much better than he had imagined. "We will do our best to guide the narrative, Minister, emphasising your 'active response to public opinion' and 'promotion of policy innovation'."
　　Charles shrugged.
　　The spotlight on the stage had been extinguished, but the work of the secretariat was just beginning.
　　The internal telephone on the desk rang again. "Sir, apologies for disturbing you again. A classified telex has just arrived from the Permanent Secretary's office at the Ministry of Defence, for your eyes only. They say it's a preliminary response to your inquiry letter from last week."
　　"Send it in."