Conversing Across the Gap: A Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying public health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration 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 either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over 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, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK 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 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in future.
