Dining Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a student focusing on community health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack 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 bonded over our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that because the UK 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 events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
