Dining Over the Gap: A Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Voted Green recently (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat 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 others in the coming times.
