Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives
Meeting the Individuals
First Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Supported Green last time (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
The first participant Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London.
The big beef
Akshat I look at migration like adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. 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 think we must maintain a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, current society were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day with opinions are opposite to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.
