Conversing Across the Divide: A Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying community health
Political history Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand 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 the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. 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 US and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of 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 get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
