Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health
Voting record Voted Green last time (also a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. 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’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees 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 family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of 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 some parts of society – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
