Conversing Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Supported Green last time (also a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. 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 starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view migration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. 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 certain elements of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted 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; times are different, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.
