Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a student studying public health
Political history Voted the Green Party recently (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.
