Dining Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Voted Green recently (also a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals every day with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
