🔗 Share this article Dining Over the Gap: A Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints Introducing the Individuals One Diner: P., 34, London Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a student focusing on community health Voting record Voted Green last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and internationalist instead of nationalist” Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup Peter did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery Second Diner: A., 43, from Harrow Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre” Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated” For starters Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The topics we talked about are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less 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 had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos. Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our love of the capital. Key disagreements The first participant I view immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty. Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country. Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for opportunity, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives. Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that 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, there is an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. 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 desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we must maintain a certain level of compassion. Common ground Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and ought to be promoted. The second participant We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of society – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and ethics. Dessert and debate The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; times are different, modern people had no control 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 funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No. Peter In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now. Takeaways Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people every day with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, in order that everyone can work towards the improvement of the community. The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.