Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Diner: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner studying public health
Political history Voted the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided 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 adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that because the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past 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 the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with others in future.