Conversing Over the Divide: A Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Participant: Peter, 34, London
Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on community health
Political history Supported Green recently (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than patriotic”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he created as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland
Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow
Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has lived in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”
For starters
Akshat Over the last 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 was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. 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 connected through our affection for the capital.
Key disagreements
Akshat I view immigration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.
Peter He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.
The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family.
The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment 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 think we have to have a certain level of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the press – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.
Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the betterment of the community.
Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.