Conversing Across the Gap: A Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Supported Green recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
