🔗 Share this article Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Different Perspectives Introducing the Participants One Participant: P., 34, from London Occupation Former civil servant, now a learner studying community health Voting record Voted Green recently (also 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 Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right” Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to read and write the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing” For starters The first participant During the past two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The topics Peter and I discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos. The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital. Key disagreements The first participant I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned. Peter He had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation. The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can burden the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives. Peter We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby 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 degree of compassion. Sharing plate The first participant Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged. Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values. For afters Akshat Peter believes that since the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is Britain able to do that? No. Peter In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now. Final thoughts Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of the community. Peter We remained for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.