Dining Across the Gap: A Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a learner studying community health
Voting record Voted Green recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and work and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with individuals every day with opinions 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 two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
