Dining Over the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives

Meeting the Participants

First Diner: Peter, 34, London

Occupation Ex- government employee, now a student focusing on public health

Voting record Voted Green recently (also a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and internationalist rather than patriotic”

Amuse bouche A sketch of a tea cup Peter created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland

Other Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector

Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”

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

For starters

The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos.

The second participant We split starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital.

The big beef

Akshat I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.

The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.

The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.

The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you arrive and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment 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 anybody. And concerning the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of humanity.

Sharing plate

Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted.

The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that some parts of society – politics, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values.

For afters

The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is the UK in a position to do that? No.

Peter In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the UK, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at what went wrong and where we should be now.

Takeaways

The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I understand his worries. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the common understanding, so that everyone can work towards the betterment of society.

The second participant We were there 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 dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.