Conversing Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a learner studying public health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – 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 superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation 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 had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
