Conversing Over the Divide: An Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former government employee, now a learner studying community health
Political history Voted Green last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.
The big beef
The first participant I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost 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. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning 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 have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of events 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 do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.
