🔗 Share this article Conversing Across the Gap: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints Introducing the Participants One Diner: P., 34, London Profession Former civil servant, currently a student focusing on community health Voting record Supported Green last time (and a member of the political group); previously Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic” Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he created as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre” Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated” Initial impressions The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos. Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London. Key disagreements The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty. Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation. The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support yourself and your family. The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion. Sharing plate Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged. The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values. Dessert and debate The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage that? No. Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities. Final thoughts Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community. The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.