Dining Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a student focusing on public health
Voting record Voted the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, 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 welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out 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 compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
