Dining Across the Gap: An Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of events 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 do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.