Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- government employee, now a student studying public health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (and a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces 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 relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
