Conversing Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a student studying public health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (also a member of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, 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 had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – 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 each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
