Conversing Across the Gap: A Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner studying community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, 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 come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter 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 others in the coming times.
