Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Former civil servant, now a student studying community health
Political history Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
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 topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Sharing plate
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the improvement of the community.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
