Conversing Over the Gap: A Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints

Meeting the Individuals

First Participant: Peter, 34, London

Occupation Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health

Political history Voted Green recently (also a member of the party); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”

Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland

Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow

Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector

Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”

Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”

For starters

Akshat Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.

Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.

The big beef

Akshat I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.

The first participant There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.

Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. 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 believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.

Common ground

Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.

Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.

Dessert and debate

Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.

The second participant In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.

Takeaways

Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.

Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.