Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Supported Green recently (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe 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 US and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, 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. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
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.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.
