Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now a student focusing on community health
Voting record Supported Green recently (also a member of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden 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.
Peter 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 get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the improvement of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
