Conversing Over the Gap: A Encounter Among Opposing Perspectives

Meeting the Individuals

First Participant: P., 34, London

Profession Former government employee, currently a learner studying public health

Political history Supported the Green Party recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist”

Amuse bouche A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland

Second Participant: A., 43, Harrow

Occupation Risk manager in the construction sector

Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for five years, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”

Interesting fact He self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”

For starters

The first participant During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I anticipated someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos.

Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for London.

The big beef

The first participant I look at migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.

The second participant Akshat had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.

The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your relatives.

Peter We got lost with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I believe we have to have a certain level of humanity.

Common ground

The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged.

Peter We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.

For afters

Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; times are different, current society were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not.

Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now.

Takeaways

Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals every day whose views are contrary to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of society.

Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more receptive to having conversations with others in future.