Conversing Across the Divide: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives

Meeting the Individuals

One Diner: P., 34, from London

Occupation Former government employee, now a learner focusing on community health

Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”

Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery

Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry

Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”

Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”

For starters

Akshat Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.

The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.

Key disagreements

The first participant I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.

The second participant He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.

The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.

The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion.

Common ground

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

The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.

Dessert and debate

The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.

The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.

Final thoughts

Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.

Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in future.