Dining Over the Gap: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup he created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, 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 good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring 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 United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at immigration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view 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, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. 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 believe we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, 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. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to people regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in future.
