Dining Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a student studying community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party last time (also a member of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? 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
The first participant I look at migration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not 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 relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment 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 don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.
