Dining Over the Divide: A Meeting Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying public health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of 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
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view immigration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost 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. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to affected nations. 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 was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
