Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives

Introducing the Participants

One Participant: P., 34, from London

Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying community health

Political history Supported Green last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”

Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery

Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow

Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry

Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”

Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”

For starters

The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.

Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.

The big beef

Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.

The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.

Akshat There are, sadly, 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 go to a different nation for prospects, 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 obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.

Common ground

The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.

The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.

Dessert and debate

The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.

The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.

Takeaways

Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.

Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.