Conversing Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints

Meeting the Participants

First Diner: P., 34, from London

Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health

Political history Voted the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”

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

Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow

Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry

Political history Originally from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”

Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”

For starters

The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.

The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. 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

Akshat I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.

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

The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.

Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning 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 believe we have to have a degree of humanity.

Sharing plate

The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.

The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.

For afters

The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able 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 had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.

Takeaways

Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.

The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in future.