Dining Across the Divide: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints

Meeting the Participants

First Diner: Peter, 34, from London

Occupation Former civil servant, now a student focusing on public health

Political history Voted Green last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”

Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland

Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow

Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry

Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”

Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”

Initial impressions

Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. 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 – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, 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 have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.

The big beef

Akshat I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.

Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.

The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare 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 relatives.

Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of compassion.

Common ground

Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.

Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics.

For afters

The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.

Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.

Final thoughts

The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of the community.

Peter We remained 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 the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with others in the coming times.