Dining Over the Gap: A Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Voted Green recently (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, he has lived in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in future.
