Dining Over the Gap: A Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Former government employee, currently a student focusing on community health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. 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 could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
