Conversing Over the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints

Meeting the Individuals

One Diner: P., 34, London

Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a student focusing on public health

Political history Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”

Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery

Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow

Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry

Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the UK 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. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”

For starters

Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.

Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.

The big beef

The first participant I view migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.

Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on 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 yourself and your relatives.

Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. 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 concerning the new policies, under which 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 degree of humanity.

Common ground

The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.

The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.

Dessert and debate

The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.

Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.

Takeaways

The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community.

Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert 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 others in future.