Dining Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives

Introducing the Individuals

One Participant: P., 34, London

Occupation Former civil servant, now a student focusing on community health

Political history Voted the Green Party recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”

Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland

Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow

Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry

Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”

Interesting fact He taught himself to understand Urdu. “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 United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.

The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.

The big beef

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

Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.

The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.

Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of humanity.

Common ground

Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.

Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.

For afters

Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.

The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.

Final thoughts

The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the improvement of the community.

Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.