Conversing Over the Gap: A Encounter Between Different Viewpoints
Introducing the Participants
First Participant: P., 34, from London
Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on public health
Political history Voted Green recently (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”
Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup Peter did as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow
Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector
Voting record Hailing from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right”
Amuse bouche He self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “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, East Asia, the United States. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because human life largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of the capital.
Key disagreements
The first participant I view migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
Peter We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity.
Sharing plate
The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – politics, the media – thrive off stoking division. We discovered shared understanding in fundamentals and values.
For afters
Akshat Peter believes that since the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? No.
The second participant Until recently, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now.
Takeaways
Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.
The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.
