Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Ex- government employee, now a learner studying community health
Voting record Voted Green recently (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from India, he has lived in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.