Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, now a student studying public health
Political history Voted Green recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues 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 was expecting 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.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning 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 think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in future.
