Conversing Across the Divide: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Profession Ex- civil servant, now a learner focusing on public health
Political history Supported the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at migration like adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.
Common ground
Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to people every day with opinions are opposite to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of society.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in future.
