🔗 Share this article Dining Over the Divide: An Meeting Among Opposing Perspectives Meeting the Participants First Participant: Peter, 34, London Occupation Ex- government employee, now a student studying community health Political history Supported Green last time (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist” Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector Political history Originally from India, he has resided in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre” Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing” Initial impressions The first participant During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos. Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, 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 the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our love of London. The big beef Akshat I view immigration like adding salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty. Peter He used an analogy regarding salt. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation. Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your relatives. Peter We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of compassion. Sharing plate Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. So am I, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged. The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics. For afters Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not. The second participant In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and our current responsibilities. Takeaways Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I talk to people every day whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society. The second participant 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 might become more open to having conversations with others in future.