Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints

Introducing the Participants

One Diner: Peter, 34, London

Profession Former civil servant, currently a learner studying community health

Voting record Voted Green last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”

Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry

Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”

Interesting fact He taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”

For starters

Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.

Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.

The big beef

Akshat I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

The second participant He used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.

Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.

Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees 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 is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.

Sharing plate

The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.

The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.

For afters

Akshat Peter believes that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.

Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule 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.

Takeaways

Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can work towards the improvement of society.

The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade 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.