🔗 Share this article Conversing Across the Divide: An Meeting Between Opposing Viewpoints Meeting the Individuals One Participant: Peter, 34, London Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying public health Political history Voted the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic” Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry Political history Hailing from India, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right” Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated” For starters The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos. Peter We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London. The big beef Akshat I look at migration similar to adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty. Peter He used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country. The first participant There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your family. Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby 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 humanity. Common ground The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged. Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values. For afters Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No. Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now. Takeaways Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals every day whose views are contrary to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of society. The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.