Conversing Across the Divide: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
First Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now a learner studying community health
Political history Voted Green last time (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. 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 Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants arriving in the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like 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 quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Takeaways
Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in future.
