Dining Over the Divide: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. 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 connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I view migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. 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 be if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare 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.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order 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 a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with others in the coming times.
