Conversing Over the Gap: A Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of London.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess 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 Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese 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 future.
