Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints

Meeting the Individuals

One Participant: Peter, 34, from London

Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a student focusing on public health

Political history Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of patriotic”

Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector

Voting record Originally from India, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly 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 have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.

Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.

The big beef

Akshat I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.

The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many 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 opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.

The second participant We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of compassion.

Sharing plate

Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.

The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.

Dessert and debate

The first participant Peter is of the opinion 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 contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.

The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.

Takeaways

Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that all of us 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 open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.