Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, now a student focusing on public health
Voting record Voted the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
