🔗 Share this article Dining Across the Divide: An Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints Introducing the Individuals First Diner: Peter, 34, from London Profession Ex- government employee, currently a learner studying community health Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the political group); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist instead of patriotic” Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right” Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to read and write the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing” For starters Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the US. The topics Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I was expecting a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, he opted for mojitos. The second participant We shared starters – fishy spring 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 being a snowflake? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We bonded over our affection for the capital. Key disagreements The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the food tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty. Peter He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some preferred demographic of the nation. Akshat There are, sadly, individuals fleeing persecution, but many people arriving in the UK are economic migrants who may not contribute much and can burden the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives. The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you get indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity. Sharing plate The first participant Peter questions unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and should be encouraged. The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in fundamentals and values. For afters The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; times are different, current society were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the UK was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not. Peter Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it ought to involve examining past errors and where we should be now. Takeaways The first participant It won’t change the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly with opinions are contrary to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can work towards the improvement of the community. The second participant We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked dinner, so we might become more receptive to engaging in dialogues with others in future.