Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a student studying public health
Voting record Voted Green recently (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. 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 affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment 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 don’t want you. I think we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – 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 ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
