Conversing Across the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former government employee, now a learner studying public health
Political history Supported Green recently (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, 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 move to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
