Dining Across the Divide: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a student focusing on community health
Political history Supported Green last time (also a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. In my view 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 really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. 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 think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
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 any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in future.
