Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a student studying public health
Political history Voted Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK 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 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 do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the improvement of the community.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.