Dining Over the Gap: A Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support 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 following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, 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 same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.