Dining Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying community health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely 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 split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, 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 Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. 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 desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions 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 stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations 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 had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
