Conversing Across the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health
Voting record Voted Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
