Dining Across the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Supported Green last time (and a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food 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 state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society 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 the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
