Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a student studying community health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby 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 must maintain a degree of compassion.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
Peter Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order 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 dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.
