Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a student studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “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 Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – seafood 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 my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. 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 about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.
