Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (also a member of the political group); previously Labour. Identifies as âprogressive, and globalist rather than nationalistâ
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as âslightly right of centreâ
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. âI have no use for it, I was just fascinatedâ
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, Iâve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasnât all gung ho â we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers â seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, 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; Iâve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I donât think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. Itâs been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you canât bring your family over, itâs incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peterâs sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant Weâre both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society â politics, the press â thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Letâs say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public werenât aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism 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.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peterâs concerns. I converse with individuals every day whose views are contrary to my own. Itâs about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
