Dining Over the Divide: A Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. 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 – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society 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 did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people every day with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
