Conversing Across the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Former government employee, now a learner focusing on community health
Voting record Voted Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as âprogressive, and globalist instead of nationalistâ
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as âsomewhat moderate rightâ
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. âIt has no practical use for me, I was just fascinatedâ
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured â we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers â seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? Weâre both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; Iâve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I donât think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. Itâs been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby you canât bring your family over, itâs incredible to say: we want your work, but we donât want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter Weâre both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community â politics, the media â thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
Peter Until recently, I donât think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
