Conversing Across the Divide: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a student studying public health
Political history Supported Green recently (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
The second participant We got lost with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors 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 every day whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
