Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints

Meeting the Participants

One Participant: Peter, 34, London

Profession Former government employee, now a student focusing on community health

Political history Supported the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”

Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow

Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry

Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”

Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”

Initial impressions

Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.

Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.

The big beef

The first participant I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.

The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.

The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.

Common ground

Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.

Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.

For afters

Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.

Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities.

Takeaways

Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of the community.

Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with others in future.