Conversing Over the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Perspectives

Introducing the Participants

First Diner: Peter, 34, London

Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner studying community health

Political history Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”

Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow

Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector

Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”

Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”

Initial impressions

Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.

Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.

The big beef

The first participant I view migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.

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

Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.

Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.

Sharing plate

The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.

The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.

For afters

The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.

The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.

Final thoughts

Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of the community.

The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.