🔗 Share this article Conversing Over the Gap: A Meeting Among Different Perspectives Meeting the Participants First Diner: P., 34, from London Profession Ex- civil servant, now a student focusing on public health Voting record Voted Green last time (also a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist instead of patriotic” Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right” Interesting fact He taught himself to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing” Initial impressions Akshat Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos. The second participant We split starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London. Key disagreements Akshat I view immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned. Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the country. The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family. Peter We got lost with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of compassion. Sharing plate Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted. Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics. Dessert and debate Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able 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 Irish famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities. Final thoughts Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with 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 were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.