Conversing Over the Divide: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now a student focusing on public health
Voting record Supported Green last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. 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 think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He 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, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, 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 society – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in future.
