Dining Across the Gap: A Meeting Between Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former government employee, now a learner focusing on community health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily 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 can take care of your own needs and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred 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 decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, 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 appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals every day with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
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 anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in the coming times.
