Conversing Across the Divide: An Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former government employee, now a student studying community health
Voting record Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he created as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. 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 Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
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 nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like 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, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which 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 have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
