🔗 Share this article Conversing Over the Gap: A Encounter Between Opposing Perspectives Meeting the Individuals One Participant: Peter, 34, London Occupation Ex- civil servant, now a student studying public health Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (also a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “left, and globalist instead of nationalist” Interesting fact A sketch of a teacup he did as a kid was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland Other Participant: Akshat, 43, from Harrow Profession Risk manager in the infrastructure industry Voting record Hailing from India, he has lived in the UK for five years, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “somewhat moderate right” Interesting fact Akshat self-learned to understand the Urdu language. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing” Initial impressions The first participant Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, South Korea, the US. The topics we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, he opted for mojitos. Peter We split appetizers – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and Spain. We connected through our love of London. Key disagreements The first participant I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a meal. With a small amount, the dish is delicious. Add too little or too much and the dish is either too bland or too salty. The second participant He had a metaphor regarding salt. It would be a funny place to be if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation. Akshat There are, unfortunately, people fleeing persecution, but many migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. Nobody forces you to move to a new country for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support yourself and your family. The second participant We became confused with certain details. In my view it’s like you arrive and work and then after five years you obtain permanent citizenship. No process is guaranteed. It’s been a hostile environment since Theresa May, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an NHS surcharge, eligibility for support is limited. There is no special treatment for anyone. And regarding the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I think we must maintain a degree of compassion. Sharing plate Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. So am I, but at the same time, wealth creation benefits society and should be encouraged. Peter We each have global outlooks. And we agreed that some parts of the community – government, the press – benefit from stoking division. We did find common ground in basic principles and values. For afters The first participant Peter is of the opinion that because the United Kingdom benefitted from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to those countries. I simply think: it is unfair to assess history with contemporary ethics; times are different, modern people had no control 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? No. The second participant Until recently, I don’t think adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. As an instance, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Irish famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about looking at past errors and where we should be now. Final thoughts The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate Peter’s concerns. I talk to individuals regularly whose views are contrary to mine. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, in order that everyone can strive for the improvement of the community. The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed dinner, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with others in the coming times.