Dining Over the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? No.
Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
