Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (and a member of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat 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 two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think 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 for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong 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 whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.
