Conversing Over the Gap: A Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints

Meeting the Individuals

First Participant: Peter, 34, London

Occupation Former government employee, currently a learner studying community health

Voting record Supported Green recently (and a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”

Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery

Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow

Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry

Political history Originally from India, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”

Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”

For starters

Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.

Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. 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 the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.

The big beef

Akshat I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.

Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.

Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.

The second participant We got lost with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.

Common ground

The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.

Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.

For afters

The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.

Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.

Takeaways

The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.

The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.