Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, now a student focusing on community health
Voting record Supported Green last time (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. 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 have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, 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 each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. 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 regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
