Dining Across the Divide: A Meeting Among Different Perspectives

Meeting the Individuals

One Diner: Peter, 34, from London

Profession Ex- civil servant, currently a learner focusing on public health

Political history Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic”

Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery

Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow

Profession Risk manager in the construction sector

Voting record Originally from India, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”

Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”

Initial impressions

Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.

Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.

The big beef

The first participant I view immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.

Peter Akshat had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.

Akshat There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the benefit system. No one compels you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.

Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, 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 regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.

Sharing plate

Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted.

The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the press – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.

For afters

Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people 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 money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.

The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.

Final thoughts

Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are contrary to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for 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 could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.