Conversing Over the Divide: An Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives

Introducing the Individuals

One Participant: P., 34, from London

Profession Former government employee, currently a student studying public health

Political history Voted Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist”

Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector

Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”

Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”

Initial impressions

The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.

The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.

The big beef

Akshat I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.

Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.

Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. 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 anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.

Common ground

Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.

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

Dessert and debate

The first participant Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.

Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now.

Final thoughts

The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.

Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.