Dining Across the Gap: A Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. 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 sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just 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 appreciate his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert 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 others in the coming times.
