Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a student focusing on public health
Voting record Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration 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 Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a new country 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. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
