Dining Across the Gap: An Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a learner studying public health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit 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 got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over 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 quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, 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
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals every day whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
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 any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
