Dining Across the Divide: A Meeting Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner studying community health
Political history Voted Green last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
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 two decades, 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 largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch 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 split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We remained 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 each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
