Conversing Across the Divide: An Encounter Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a learner studying public health
Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, 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 compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in future.
