Dining Across the Gap: An Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a student focusing on community health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, he has resided in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that 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, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: 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 UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day with opinions are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in future.
