Dining Over the Gap: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, now a learner focusing on public health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
