🔗 Share this article Dining Over the Divide: A Encounter Between Different Perspectives Meeting the Individuals One Diner: Peter, 34, London Profession Ex- government employee, currently a student focusing on public health Voting record Voted the Green Party last time (also a affiliate of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic” Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland Other Diner: Akshat, 43, Harrow Profession Risk manager in the construction sector Voting record Originally from India, Akshat has lived in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right” Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I was just fascinated” For starters Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The topics we discussed are UK-centric, but they are also global, because people's lives largely follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos. The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for the capital. The big beef Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Add 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 state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation. Akshat There are, sadly, people fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants arriving in the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to go to a different nation for opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your family. Peter We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and are employed and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the recent changes, whereby 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 must maintain a degree of humanity. Common ground Akshat Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged. The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of society – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and values. For afters Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from colonial times, it should pay compensation to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of money. Is the UK in a position to manage that? Certainly not. The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at past errors and our current responsibilities. Final thoughts The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals every day whose views are contrary to my own. It’s about uniting people to the common understanding, so that all of us can work towards the betterment of society. The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in future.