Conversing Over the Gap: A Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a learner studying community health
Voting record Voted Green last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, 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 someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. 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 bonded over our love of London.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration like adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much 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 can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter In the past, 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 Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
