Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a student focusing on public health
Political history Voted Green recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he created as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. 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 the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant 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’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, 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 role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
