Conversing Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
One Participant: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, now a student studying public health
Political history Voted the Green Party last time (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right”
Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.
Peter We shared appetizers – fishy spring 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 being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I look at migration like sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
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 following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, 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 humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.
The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
