Conversing Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a student studying community health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation 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 his worries. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
