Conversing Across the Gap: A Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, now a learner studying community health
Voting record Supported Green recently (and a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had 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 excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, 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 is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
