Conversing Across the Gap: A Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, now a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch 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 shared appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I view migration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, 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 compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that because the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat 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 mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community.
The second participant 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 open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
