Conversing Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, 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’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
