Conversing Across the Gap: A Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints

Meeting the Participants

First Diner: Peter, 34, London

Profession Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health

Political history Voted Green last time (also a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”

Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery

Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow

Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector

Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”

Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”

Initial impressions

The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.

The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, 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 love of the capital.

The big beef

The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.

The second participant He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.

The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.

The second participant We became confused 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. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of compassion.

Common ground

Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.

Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.

Dessert and debate

Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.

The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.

Final thoughts

The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.

Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in future.