Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself 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
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, 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 think we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
