Conversing Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Different Perspectives
Introducing the Individuals
One Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student focusing on community health
Voting record Supported Green recently (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation.
Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much 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 got lost with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. 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 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.
