Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a student studying community health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding 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 believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, 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 same page, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. 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 receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
