Conversing Across the Divide: An Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on community health
Voting record Supported Green last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out 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 think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK 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 In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us 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 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 having conversations with other people in future.
