Dining Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, now a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last 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 people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor about salt. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. 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 think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
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 compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in future.
