Dining Over the Gap: A Meeting Among Different Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Diner: P., 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, now a learner focusing on community health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted 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”
For starters
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over 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, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve 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 his worries. I converse with people regularly whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
