Conversing Across the Divide: An Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a student studying public health
Voting record Supported Green recently (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration like adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it is the case that 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 really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment 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 any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
