Dining Across the Divide: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints

Introducing the Individuals

One Participant: P., 34, from London

Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a learner studying community health

Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist”

Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector

Voting record Originally from India, he has lived in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”

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

For starters

The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. 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.

The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.

Key disagreements

The first participant I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

The second participant He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.

Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.

The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.

Common ground

Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.

Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.

For afters

The first participant Peter believes that because the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened decades or a century 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 believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.

Takeaways

Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people every day with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the improvement of the community.

Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.