Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. 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 don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think 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 imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the improvement of society.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with others in future.
