Conversing Across the Gap: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, London
Occupation Former government employee, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Voted Green last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “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 the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack 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 connected through our affection for London.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.
