Conversing Across the Divide: An Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former government employee, now a student studying public health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
