Conversing Across the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a student focusing on public health
Political history Voted the Green Party recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. 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 profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay 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 believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
