Dining Over the Gap: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives 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 drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about 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 many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the improvement of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
