Conversing Across the Gap: A Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student focusing on community health
Voting record Voted Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the improvement of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with others in future.
