Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a learner studying community health
Political history Voted Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – 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 my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was 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 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 meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, 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
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, 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 signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
