🔗 Share this article Dining Over the Gap: An Encounter Between Different Viewpoints Meeting the Participants First Diner: Peter, 34, London Occupation Former government employee, currently a learner focusing on public health Voting record Supported the Green Party recently (also a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of patriotic” Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow Profession Risk manager in the construction sector Political history Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right” Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing” Initial impressions Akshat Over the last 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos. Peter We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital. The big beef Akshat I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty. Peter He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation. Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support 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 are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity. Sharing plate The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and ought to be promoted. The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of society – politics, the media – benefit from 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 the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of money. Is Britain able to manage 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 Irish famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. I hold that decolonization is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities. Final thoughts Akshat It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the improvement of society. Peter We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked the meal, so we might become more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.