🔗 Share this article Dining Across the Divide: An Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints Meeting the Participants First Diner: Peter, 34, from London Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a student studying community health Political history Supported the Green Party last time (also a member of the political group); previously Labour. Identifies as “left, and internationalist instead of nationalist” Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery Second Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry Political history Originally from India, he has resided in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre” Interesting fact He self-learned to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated” Initial impressions Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos. Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London. The big beef The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty. Peter Akshat used an analogy regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation. Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many migrants arriving in the UK are economic migrants who do not necessarily add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives. The second participant We became confused with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, application costs are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And concerning the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of humanity. Sharing plate Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted. Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – politics, the media – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values. For afters The first participant Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? Certainly not. Peter Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the UK, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities. Takeaways Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day whose views are opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of society. The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in future.