Dining Across the Divide: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a learner studying community health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, 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.
Peter We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat 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 concurred that certain elements of society – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, current society 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 funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people regularly whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
