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Introducing the Individuals

First Diner: Peter, 34, London

Occupation Former civil servant, now a learner studying public health

Voting record Supported Green last time (also a member of the political group); previously Labour Party. Identifies as “progressive, and internationalist rather than nationalist”

Amuse bouche A drawing of a teacup he did as a child was once hung in the National Gallery of Ireland

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Second Diner: Akshat, 43, from Harrow

Profession Risk analyst in the construction sector

Political history Hailing from the Indian subcontinent, Akshat has resided in the UK for five years, and voted the Conservative Party. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”

Amuse bouche Akshat self-learned to understand Urdu. “I have no use for it, I was just fascinated”

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For starters

Akshat Over the last two decades, I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, South Korea, the US. The issues we talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also universal, because people's lives largely evolve similarly across the world. I anticipated a staunch liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we had a productive, logical conversation. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.

Peter We shared starters – seafood rolls, dumplings, radish cakes with sprouts, which were superb. I felt somewhat anxious, as I believe he was too. Was he going to attack me for my sensitivity? We’re both immigrants. I grew up in Dublin; I’ve lived in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula. We connected through our affection for London.

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Key disagreements

Akshat I view immigration like adding salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food is delicious. Use too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.

The second participant He had a metaphor about seasoning. It would be a funny place to be if the government was choosing some preferred demographic of the country.

Akshat There are, sadly, people escaping oppression, but a lot of people arriving in the UK are those seeking better finances who do not necessarily contribute much and can weigh on the benefit system. Nobody forces you to go to a different nation for prospects, so you ought to relocate if you are able to support your own needs and your relatives.

The second participant We got lost with certain details. In my view it is the case that you arrive and are employed and then following a half-decade you obtain indefinite leave to remain. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, visa fees are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is restricted. There is no special treatment for anyone. And concerning the recent changes, under which family reunification is restricted, it is astonishing to state: we want your work, but we reject you as a person. I believe we have to have a degree of compassion.

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Common ground

Akshat Peter questions unchecked capitalism. I am, too, but simultaneously, economic growth helps communities and should be encouraged.

Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that some parts of the community – government, the media – thrive off stoking division. We did find shared understanding in basic principles and values.

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For afters

The first participant Peter believes that since the UK profited from the colonial era, it ought to provide compensation to affected nations. My view is simply: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; eras vary, current society had no control of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the Britain had to compensate the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to do that? Certainly not.

The second participant Until recently, I believe adequate reflection occurred with colonial history. For example, upon my arrival to the United Kingdom, the public weren’t aware of the Great Famine and the part that colonialism played in it. I hold that decolonisation is not merely about signing a cheque, it should be about examining what went wrong and where we should be now.

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Takeaways

Akshat It may not alter the my perspective, but I appreciate his worries. I talk to individuals every day whose views are opposite to mine. It’s about bringing everyone to the same page, so that all of us can strive for the improvement of society.

The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. Akshat had dessert and I had a Japanese dessert wine. I did not convince him of any point, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more open to engaging in dialogues with other people in the coming times.