🔗 Share this article Conversing Across the Divide: A Encounter Between Opposing Viewpoints Introducing the Individuals First Participant: P., 34, from London Occupation Former civil servant, currently a learner focusing on community health Political history Supported the Green Party recently (and a affiliate of the political group); formerly Labour. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than patriotic” Interesting fact A drawing of a teacup Peter created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery Second Participant: A., 43, from Harrow Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry Political history Hailing from India, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for five years, and supported Conservative. Identifies as “slightly right of centre” Amuse bouche He taught himself to understand the Urdu language. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing” Initial impressions 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 discussed are UK-centric, but they are also universal, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos. Peter We shared starters – fishy spring rolls, dumplings, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and Spain. We connected through our affection for London. The big beef The first participant I look at migration similar to adding salt to a dish. When you add a little bit, the dish is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty. The second participant He used an analogy about salt. It would be odd to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation. The first participant There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but many migrants 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 opportunity, so you ought to relocate if you can take care of yourself and your relatives. The second participant We got lost with some of the facts. In my view it’s like you come over and are employed and then after five years you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, visa fees are really high, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the new policies, whereby you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion. Sharing plate Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged. Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that certain elements of the community – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find common ground in fundamentals and ethics. Dessert and debate The first participant Peter is of the opinion that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with present day morality; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened decades or a century ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount of money. Is Britain able to do that? No. The second participant In the past, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it should be about looking at what went wrong and our current responsibilities. Final thoughts The first participant It won’t change the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are opposite to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the improvement of society. The second participant We remained for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in future.