Dining Over the Gap: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former government employee, currently a student focusing on public health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, 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
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.
