Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a student focusing on public health
Voting record Voted Green last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, 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. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
