🔗 Share this article Dining Across the Gap: An Meeting Among Opposing Viewpoints Introducing the Individuals One Diner: Peter, 34, from London Occupation Ex- civil servant, currently a learner studying public health Political history Voted the Green Party recently (and a member of the party); formerly Labour Party. Describes himself as “left, and internationalist rather than nationalist” Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he did as a kid was once hung in the Irish National Gallery Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry Political history Originally from India, Akshat has resided in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Identifies as “slightly right of centre” Interesting fact He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing” For starters The first participant Over the last 20 years, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos. The second participant We shared appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were excellent. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. 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 Spain. We connected through our affection for London. The big beef Akshat I view immigration like sprinkling salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the meal is insipid or overly seasoned. The second participant He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the country. The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals escaping oppression, but many people arriving in the United Kingdom are economic migrants who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives. Peter 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 for some time, application costs are quite expensive, there is an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a certain level of humanity. Sharing plate The first participant 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 press – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values. For afters The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom benefitted from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. My view is simply: you cannot judge the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain was obliged to repay India, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is the UK in a position to do that? Certainly not. The second participant In the past, I believe there was much reckoning with colonial history. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, the public had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the part that imperial rule played in it. My view is decolonization is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities. Final thoughts 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 mine. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that all of us can strive for the betterment of society. The second participant We were there for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in future.