Conversing Over the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a student focusing on community health
Voting record Supported Green recently (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He self-learned to understand 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, South Korea, the United States. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past 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 money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I believe 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 role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.
