Dining Across the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying public health
Political history Supported Green recently (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding 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 those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? No.
Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
