Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former government employee, now a student focusing on public health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed 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, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, 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.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.
