Conversing Over the Gap: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner studying community health
Political history Supported Green recently (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish 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 about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, 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 degree of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
