Conversing Over the Gap: A Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints

Introducing the Individuals

First Diner: Peter, 34, London

Occupation Former government employee, now a learner studying community health

Political history Supported Green recently (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”

Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery

Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow

Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector

Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”

Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”

For starters

The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.

Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.

Key disagreements

Akshat I view migration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.

The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.

The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a certain level of humanity.

Common ground

The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.

The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.

Dessert and debate

The first participant Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; 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 the UK in a position to manage that? No.

The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is 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 regularly whose views are contrary to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.

Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.