Dining Over the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, now a student studying public health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.