Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a student focusing on community health
Voting record Supported Green recently (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, 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 United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. 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. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter 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 Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
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 the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.