🔗 Share this article Conversing Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Different Perspectives Introducing the Participants First Participant: P., 34, London Profession Former government employee, currently a learner focusing on public health Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist” Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery Second Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right” Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing” For starters The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, South Korea, the United States. The topics we discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos. The second participant We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital. The big beef Akshat I look at immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned. Peter He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation. Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your family. Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support 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 is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity. Sharing plate The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged. The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values. Dessert and debate The first participant Peter believes that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not. The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities. Takeaways The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people regularly with opinions are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of the community. Peter We remained 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 each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.