Conversing Across the Gap: A Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student focusing on community health
Political history Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He self-learned to understand 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, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, 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. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
