Dining Across the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives

Meeting the Individuals

One Diner: Peter, 34, London

Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on public health

Political history Voted the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than nationalist”

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

Other Participant: A., 43, Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry

Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat right of centre”

Interesting fact He taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”

For starters

Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less follows the same curve across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – 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 superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of London.

The big beef

Akshat I view immigration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty.

The second participant He used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the country.

Akshat There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the benefit system. No one compels 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.

The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, application costs are really high, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, 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.

Sharing plate

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 press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values.

Dessert and debate

The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to affected nations. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.

The second participant Until recently, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.

Final thoughts

The first participant It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to people regularly whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of the community.

Peter 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 anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we might become more open to having conversations with others in the coming times.