Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Different Viewpoints

Meeting the Individuals

One Diner: P., 34, from London

Occupation Ex- government employee, now a learner focusing on community health

Political history Supported the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist”

Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow

Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector

Voting record Originally from India, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”

Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”

For starters

Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The issues Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, 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. 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 bonded over our love of the capital.

Key disagreements

Akshat 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 insipid or overly seasoned.

Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.

The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.

The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a degree of compassion.

Sharing plate

Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.

Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.

For afters

Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.

Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now.

Final thoughts

The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.

Peter We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.