Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner studying community health
Political history Voted Green last time (and a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, he has lived in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees 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 you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
