Dining Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives

Meeting the Individuals

First Participant: P., 34, London

Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner studying community health

Political history Voted the Green Party recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of patriotic”

Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery

Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow

Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector

Voting record Originally from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”

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

For starters

Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.

The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.

The big beef

The first participant I look at immigration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.

The second participant He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.

Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.

Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of humanity.

Sharing plate

The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.

Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.

Dessert and debate

Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.

Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.

Final thoughts

The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.

Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.