🔗 Share this article Dining Across the Gap: A Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives Introducing the Individuals First Diner: Peter, 34, London Occupation Ex- government employee, currently a learner focusing on community health Political history Voted Green recently (also a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist rather than patriotic” Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he created as a kid was once displayed in the National Gallery of Ireland Other Diner: A., 43, from Harrow Occupation Risk analyst in the construction sector Political history Originally from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the United Kingdom for half a decade, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “somewhat right of centre” Interesting fact He self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated” Initial impressions Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in Qatar, East Asia, the United States. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but he was quite measured – we had a good, rational discussion. I had a couple of beers, Peter had mojitos. Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our love of the capital. Key disagreements Akshat I view migration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty. Peter Akshat had a metaphor about salt. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was choosing some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation. Akshat There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are economic migrants who may not add significant value and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you should only go if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives. The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then after five years you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, there is an healthcare levy, eligibility for support is restricted. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a degree of humanity. Common ground Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth benefits society and ought to be promoted. The second participant We each have global outlooks. And we concurred that certain elements of society – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in basic principles and ethics. For afters Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from colonial times, it should pay reparations to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people had no control of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? No. The second participant In the past, I don’t think there was much reckoning with the colonial past. As an instance, when I first moved to the UK, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonization isn’t just about signing a cheque, it should be about examining past errors and where we should be now. Final thoughts Akshat It won’t change the my perspective, but I understand his worries. I converse with people regularly with opinions are opposite to my own. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the betterment of society. Peter We remained for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of anything, but we each liked dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.