Dining Over the Divide: A Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner studying community health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from India, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. 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 US and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
