Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on community health
Political history Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in future.
