Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Among Different Perspectives

Introducing the Participants

One Participant: Peter, 34, from London

Profession Ex- civil servant, now a student focusing on public health

Political history Voted the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”

Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry

Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”

Amuse bouche He self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”

Initial impressions

The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.

Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.

Key disagreements

Akshat I look at migration 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 insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.

The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of people arriving in the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family.

The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of humanity.

Sharing plate

Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.

Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and ethics.

Dessert and debate

Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not.

Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.

Final thoughts

Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.

The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in future.