Conversing Across the Divide: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”
Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he created as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Initial impressions
The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. 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 Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration like adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, 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 the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat 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 having conversations with others in future.
