Dining Across the Divide: An Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, currently a student focusing on community health
Political history Voted Green recently (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated 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 split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, 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 connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at immigration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many 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 different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to people regularly whose views are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
