Dining Across the Divide: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a learner studying community health
Voting record Supported Green last time (also a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe 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.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration like 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 He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
Peter In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
