Conversing Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Voted the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people arriving in the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in the coming times.
