Dining Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a student focusing on community health
Voting record Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact He self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration 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 either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused 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. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby 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 must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can work towards the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.
