🔗 Share this article Conversing Over the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints Meeting the Participants First Diner: P., 34, London Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a learner focusing on community health Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist instead of patriotic” Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow Profession Risk manager in the construction sector Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right” Interesting fact He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing” For starters Akshat During the past two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos. Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London. The big beef The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned. Peter He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country. The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your family. The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning 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 think we must maintain a certain level of compassion. Sharing plate Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted. The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values. For afters The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from colonial times, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not. Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now. Final thoughts Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with individuals regularly whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the betterment of society. The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.