Conversing Over the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now a student studying community health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (and a member of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, 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 universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I view migration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, 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 humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about 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 appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in the coming times.