Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former government employee, now a student focusing on community health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
