Conversing Across the Divide: A Meeting Among Different Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as âprogressive, and globalist rather than patrioticâ
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as âsomewhat moderate rightâ
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. âI have no use for it, I simply found it intriguingâ
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured â we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared starters â fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? Weâre both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; Iâve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view itâs like you come over and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. Itâs been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant Weâre both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society â politics, the press â thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I donât think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation isnât just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peterâs concerns. I converse with individuals every day whose views are contrary to my own. Itâs about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
