Dining Over the Gap: A Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, now a student studying public health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write 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 Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration like adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. 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, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.