Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a student studying community health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, 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 he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter 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 indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
