Dining Across the Gap: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported Green recently (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor about salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding 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 have to have a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in future.
