🔗 Share this article Conversing Across the Gap: A Encounter Among Different Perspectives Introducing the Participants First Diner: P., 34, London Profession Former government employee, currently a student focusing on community health Political history Supported the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic” Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery Second Participant: A., 43, Harrow Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right” Interesting fact He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing” For starters The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos. Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our affection for London. Key disagreements Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty. Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation. Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your family. Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of compassion. Common ground The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged. The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values. Dessert and debate Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not. Peter Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities. Final thoughts Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society. The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in future.