Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Former government employee, now a learner focusing on public health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people regularly whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
