Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner studying public health
Political history Voted the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting 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 – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work 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, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors 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 individuals regularly whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
