Conversing Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health
Voting record Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? 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 love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use 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 be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which 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 degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in the coming times.
