Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, London
Profession Former government employee, now a student focusing on public health
Political history Voted Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, 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 had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
