Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
First Diner: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying public health
Voting record Supported Green last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues we 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 someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware 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 our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
