Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a learner studying community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch 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.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby 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 have to have a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
