Conversing Over the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a student studying community health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I view migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants 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 your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
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 anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
