Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.
The big beef
The first participant I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
