Conversing Over the Divide: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives

Meeting the Individuals

One Diner: Peter, 34, from London

Occupation Former government employee, now a student focusing on public health

Political history Supported the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”

Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow

Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector

Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”

Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”

Initial impressions

Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.

Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.

The big beef

Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal 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 government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.

The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.

The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.

Common ground

The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.

Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.

For afters

The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.

The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.

Takeaways

Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.

The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.