Dining Over the Gap: A Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, now a student focusing on public health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
