Conversing Over the Divide: A Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a student studying community health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was 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 adding 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.
Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
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 opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. 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 money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people every day whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
