🔗 Share this article Dining Across the Gap: A Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints Meeting the Individuals First Diner: Peter, 34, London Occupation Former government employee, now a learner studying public health Voting record Voted Green last time (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist” Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he created as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre” Interesting fact He taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing” Initial impressions Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos. The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital. Key disagreements Akshat I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned. Peter Akshat used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to exist if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country. Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many people coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your family. The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of compassion. Common ground Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted. The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics. For afters Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No. Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities. Final thoughts The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community. The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.