Conversing Across the Gap: A Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner studying community health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a member of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use 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 a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby 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 compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years 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.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
