Dining Across the Divide: An Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former government employee, now a student focusing on public health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in future.
