Dining Across the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Supported Green recently (and a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely 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 individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in future.
