Dining Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying community health
Political history Voted Green last time (also a member of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
