Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Voted Green last time (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, 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 regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in future.
