Dining Across the Divide: An Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Ex- government employee, now a student focusing on community health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated 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 – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, 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 regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
