Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a student studying public health
Political history Supported Green recently (also a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, he has resided in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor about salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. 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. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.
