Dining Over the Divide: A Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner studying community health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
