🔗 Share this article Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Between Different Viewpoints Introducing the Participants One Participant: P., 34, London Profession Former government employee, currently a student studying community health Political history Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist” Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry Voting record Hailing from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre” Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated” Initial impressions Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very 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 appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London. The big beef The first participant I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty. Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation. Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family. The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity. Common ground Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted. The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics. Dessert and debate Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No. Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities. Final thoughts Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals every day whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community. The second participant 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 any point, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in future.