Conversing Over the Divide: An Encounter Among Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying public health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy regarding 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, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since 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 present day morality; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people 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 should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
