Conversing Over the Divide: An Meeting Between Different Perspectives

Meeting the Participants

First Participant: Peter, 34, from London

Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a learner studying public health

Political history Supported Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”

Amuse bouche A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow

Profession Risk manager in the construction sector

Voting record Hailing from India, he has resided in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”

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

Initial impressions

The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.

The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.

Key disagreements

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

The second participant He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.

Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.

The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of compassion.

Sharing plate

Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. 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 society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.

Dessert and debate

Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.

The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.

Final thoughts

The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.

Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in future.