Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints

Meeting the Individuals

One Diner: P., 34, London

Occupation Ex- government employee, now a student studying public health

Voting record Supported Green last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”

Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector

Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”

Interesting fact He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”

For starters

The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.

Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.

Key disagreements

The first participant I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

The second participant He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.

The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.

The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of compassion.

Sharing plate

Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.

The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.

Dessert and debate

The first participant Peter believes that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society 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 Britain able to do that? Certainly not.

Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish 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 past errors and where we should be now.

Takeaways

Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.

Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade 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.