Conversing Over the Gap: A Meeting Between Different Perspectives
Meeting the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a student studying community health
Voting record Supported Green last time (and a member of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated”
Initial impressions
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.
The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration like sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants arriving in the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces 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 some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Common ground
The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and ethics.
For afters
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it ought to involve looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.
Takeaways
The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. 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 might become more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
