Conversing Across the Gap: A Encounter Between Different Viewpoints

Introducing the Participants

First Diner: P., 34, from London

Occupation Ex- government employee, now a student focusing on public health

Political history Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”

Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery

Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry

Political history Hailing from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”

Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”

For starters

Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve 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.

The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.

The big beef

Akshat 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 insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.

Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.

Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.

Common ground

The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.

The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.

Dessert and debate

Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.

The second participant In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.

Final thoughts

The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people every day with opinions are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.

Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.