Dining Across the Divide: An Meeting Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now 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 patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling 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.
Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can work towards the improvement of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat 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 receptive to having conversations with others in future.
