Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a learner focusing on community health
Voting record Voted Green recently (and a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting 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 – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. 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 society – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are opposite to mine. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
