Conversing Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a student focusing on public health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go 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 arrive and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade 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.
