Dining Across the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Former government employee, currently a student studying public health
Voting record Voted Green last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write 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 the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, 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 colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert 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 open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
