Yeah, he isn't a good guy, but he is pragmatic and he is just testing the waters while others are trying to talk him into doing more. The sad thing here, is that to really test how these things go, takes years, and nothing with the government every goes quickly. This isn't just some economic theory that can be tested, there are lives at stake and retraining takes time.While I would normally agree with that I don't think Cornwall did anything since the bill giving elves minimum rights, which if I remember correctly happened decades ago
There are currently (at least) two major lobbies (that we know of) that have his ear, who are trying to talk him into doing more. K-dad, who represents the corporate lobby, and Autumn's dad, who represents the major religion of the land. Add to that, the MC winning the contest with Lin, showing that treating them with love and kindness works better than being a jackass, and things are starting to move again. We don't know exactly what, but things are working behind the scenes.