Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, now a student studying public health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, 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’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I view immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the betterment of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
