Conversing Across the Gap: An Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints

Introducing the Participants

First Diner: P., 34, from London

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

Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”

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

Second Diner: A., 43, Harrow

Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector

Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”

Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”

Initial impressions

The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.

The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for the capital.

Key disagreements

Akshat I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.

The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family.

Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.

Common ground

Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.

The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.

For afters

Akshat Peter believes that because the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.

Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.

Final thoughts

Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the improvement of society.

The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.