Dining Over the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a learner studying community health
Political history Voted Green recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive 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 quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can work towards the improvement of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
