Conversing Over the Divide: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, now a learner studying public health
Voting record Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive 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 quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control 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? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.
