Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, now a learner studying public health
Political history Voted Green recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration similar to 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 seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move 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 certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. 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 don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, 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 Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the improvement of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
