Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a student studying community health
Voting record Voted Green recently (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. 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 the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule 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 my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
The second participant 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 any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in the coming times.
