Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (also a member of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration like adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
