Dining Across the Gap: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, now a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about salt. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. 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 think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
