Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health
Political history Voted the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated 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 starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack 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 affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
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, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the improvement of the community.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.