Conversing Across the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying public health
Political history Supported the Green Party recently (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and work and then after five years 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 limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals every day with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade 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.
