Dining Across the Gap: A Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, now a student studying community health
Political history Supported Green recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager 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 “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through 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 insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about 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, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.
Peter 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 dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
