Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.
