Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Profession Former government employee, currently a student focusing on community health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring 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 my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding 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.
Peter He used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible 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 manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people every day with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
