Dining Across the Divide: An Meeting Between Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
