Dining Over the Gap: A Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, now a student studying public health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
