Dining Over the Divide: An Encounter Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a student studying community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing 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 construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK 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
The first participant During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, 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. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.
