Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health
Voting record Supported Green recently (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, 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 global, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
