Dining Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, now a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with others in future.