🔗 Share this article Dining Over the Gap: An Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives Introducing the Participants One Diner: P., 34, from London Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a learner focusing on community health Political history Supported the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist” Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right” Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing” Initial impressions The first participant Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated 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. The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? 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. The big beef Akshat I view migration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned. Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country. Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives. Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. 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 simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted. The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – government, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in basic principles and values. Dessert and debate The first participant 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: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No. The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now. Takeaways The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite 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. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in the coming times.