Dining Over the Gap: A Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints

Meeting the Participants

First Participant: P., 34, from London

Profession Former government employee, currently a student studying public health

Political history Supported the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”

Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland

Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow

Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry

Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”

Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”

Initial impressions

Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.

Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. 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’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.

The big beef

The first participant I view migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.

Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your family.

The second participant We became confused 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. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are quite expensive, 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 reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of humanity.

Common ground

The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.

The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.

Dessert and debate

Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.

Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.

Final thoughts

The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.

The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had 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 future.