Dining Across the Gap: A Encounter Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
The first participant I view migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning 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 have to have a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
