Dining Across the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Former government employee, currently a student studying public health
Political history Voted Green last time (and a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had 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 other people in the coming times.
