Conversing Across the Divide: An Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a student focusing on community health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as âleft, and globalist instead of nationalistâ
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as âslightly right of centreâ
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. âIt has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguingâ
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. 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 anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasnât all gung ho â we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers â seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? Weâre both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; Iâve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration like adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view itâs like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. Itâs been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isnât rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby you canât bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we donât want you. I believe we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peterâs sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter Weâre both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community â politics, the media â thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion 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; times are different, modern people had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I donât think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonisation isnât just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It wonât change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to mine. Itâs about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in future.
