Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying public health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated 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.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration like 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.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered 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 ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
