Conversing Over the Divide: A Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as âleft, and internationalist instead of nationalistâ
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as âslightly right of centreâ
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. âIt has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguingâ
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured â we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters â seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I donât think itâs like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. Itâs been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isnât rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby you canât bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we donât want you. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter Weâre both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community â politics, the press â thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
Peter In the past, I donât think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people werenât aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peterâs concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. Itâs about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter 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 engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.