Conversing Over the Divide: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Voted the Green Party last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. 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 the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I view migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare 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 family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
