Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Between Different Perspectives

Introducing the Participants

One Participant: P., 34, from London

Profession Ex- civil servant, now a learner studying public health

Political history Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”

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

Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow

Profession Risk manager in the construction sector

Voting record Hailing from India, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”

Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”

Initial impressions

Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.

The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.

Key disagreements

The first participant I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.

Peter He used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.

Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare 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 family.

The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: 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 unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.

The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.

Dessert and debate

The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.

Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.

Takeaways

Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can work towards the betterment of society.

Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.