Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited 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. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
