Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner studying public health
Political history Supported Green recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused 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. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning 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 imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
