Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a student focusing on community health
Voting record Supported Green recently (also a member of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, he has resided in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden 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 your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you come over and work and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; times are different, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to do that? No.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is 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. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in future.
