🔗 Share this article Dining Over the Gap: An Encounter Among Opposing Viewpoints Meeting the Individuals First Diner: P., 34, London Occupation Ex- government employee, now a learner studying community health Political history Voted Green last time (also a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and globalist rather than nationalist” Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow Occupation Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre” Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated” For starters The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos. The second participant We shared appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I was a little nervous, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our affection for London. The big beef The first participant I view migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty. Peter Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation. Akshat There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the United Kingdom are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family. The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it is the case that you come over and are employed and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. 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. Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – politics, the press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in basic principles and values. For afters Akshat Peter believes that because the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it should pay compensation to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a huge amount of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? No. Peter In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with the colonial past. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation isn’t just about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong 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 opposite to my own. It’s about uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the improvement of society. The second participant We remained 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 each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with other people in the coming times.