🔗 Share this article Conversing Over the Divide: A Meeting Between Opposing Perspectives Introducing the Participants One Participant: P., 34, London Profession Ex- civil servant, now a student studying community health Political history Supported Green last time (and a affiliate of the party); previously Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic” Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland Second Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry Political history Hailing from India, he has resided in the UK for five years, and supported Conservative. Describes himself as “slightly moderate right” Amuse bouche Akshat taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated” Initial impressions Akshat During the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the United States. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because human life more or less follows the same curve wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but he was quite measured – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos. Peter We split starters – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe Akshat was. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. My childhood was in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London. Key disagreements Akshat I look at migration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty. Peter He had a metaphor regarding seasoning. It would be odd to exist if the state was choosing some preferred demographic of the nation. The first participant There are, sadly, individuals escaping oppression, but many migrants coming to the United Kingdom are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you should only go if you can take care of yourself and your family. Peter We became confused with some of the facts. In my view it is the case that you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. No process is guaranteed. The climate has been unwelcoming since Theresa May, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. There is no special treatment for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we don’t want you. I believe we must maintain a certain level of compassion. Sharing plate Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged. Peter We’re both internationalist. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the media – benefit from creating conflict. We discovered shared understanding in basic principles and values. For afters Akshat Peter is of the opinion that because the UK benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge the past with contemporary ethics; eras vary, modern people were not responsible of what happened 50 or 100 years ago. Let’s say the Britain was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a huge amount 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 the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the part that colonialism played in it. My view is decolonisation is not merely about issuing payments, it ought to involve looking at past errors and where we should be now. Takeaways Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I talk to people every day with opinions are contrary to my own. The goal is uniting people to the same page, in order that everyone can work towards the betterment of society. Peter We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had some sweet Japanese wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to having conversations with others in future.