Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying community health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden 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 family.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. 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 humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in future.
