Profession Ex- government employee, currently a student studying community health
Political history Supported Green recently (and a affiliate of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and globalist instead of patriotic”
Interesting fact A sketch of a tea cup he created as a child was once hung in the Irish National Gallery
Profession Risk analyst in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, he has lived in the UK for half a decade, and supported the Conservative Party. Describes himself as “slightly right of centre”
Amuse bouche He taught himself to read and write Urdu. “I have no use for it, I simply found it intriguing”
Akshat Over the last two decades, I have resided and been employed in the Middle East, East Asia, the United States. The topics Peter and I discussed are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because human life more or less follows the same curve 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 shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? 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.
Akshat I view migration similar to adding salt to a meal. When you add a little bit, the dish tastes wonderful. Use too little or too much and the meal is either too bland or too salty.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy regarding seasoning. It would be odd to be if the government was selecting some preferred demographic of the country.
Akshat There are, unfortunately, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people 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 opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your relatives.
Peter We became confused with certain details. In my view it is the case that you come over and work and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. It’s been a hostile environment for some time, visa fees are really high, there is an NHS surcharge, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And concerning the recent changes, whereby family reunification is restricted, it’s incredible to say: we desire your labor, but we reject you as a person. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
The first participant Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but at the same time, wealth creation helps communities and should be encouraged.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – politics, the press – thrive off stoking division. We discovered common ground in fundamentals and values.
Akshat Peter is of the opinion that since the United Kingdom profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide reparations to those countries. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of events decades or a century ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate India, it would be a significant sum 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. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people 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 ought to involve examining what went wrong and our current responsibilities.
Akshat It won’t change the way I think, but I understand Peter’s concerns. I converse with individuals every day with opinions are contrary to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, in order that all of us can work towards the improvement of society.
Peter We remained for two and a half hours. Akshat had dessert and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we each liked the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to having conversations with other people in future.
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