Conversing Over the Divide: An Encounter Between Different Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, now a learner focusing on community health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics we 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 a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs 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 work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
