Dining Across the Divide: A Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. 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 have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of London.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and work and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since 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 present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant 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 the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
