Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, now a learner focusing on community health
Political history Supported Green recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. 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.
Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate 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 come over and are employed and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby 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 certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
