In a Birmingham restaurant, two men from opposite ends of Britain's political spectrum recently attempted a feat that feels increasingly rare: a civil conversation over dinner. Amrit, a 32-year-old immigration solicitor, and Jon, a 67-year-old IT company owner, met to discuss some of the nation's most contentious issues, from immigration to the figure of Tommy Robinson.
A Meeting of Opposing Minds
Amrit, based in Birmingham, has consistently voted Labour but is now leaning towards the Greens or Jeremy Corbyn's Your Party. He works directly with immigrants and asylum seekers, giving him a ground-level view of the system. Jon, also from Birmingham, voted Conservative from the Thatcher era until the 2024 election, when he switched his support to Reform UK.
Their meeting at Itihaas restaurant lasted until closing time. Amrit enjoyed a butter paneer, while Jon opted for lamb with poppadoms and rice, joking he should know the dish names better as he is "married to a bloody Asian". Despite the friendly start, their fundamental disagreements soon surfaced.
The Core of the Conflict: Immigration and Islam
The central tension of the evening revolved around Jon's views on Islam and immigration. Amrit reported that Jon believes "Muslims want to take over", though when challenged, Jon admitted he had not read the Qur'an. Jon argued that while immigration can be healthy, Islam is an exception to that rule.
Jon pointed to grooming gang cases and the religion of some newly elected mayors as evidence for his concerns. He also made a claim about a local MP campaigning for UK government funding for an airport in Pakistan, a statement that has been widely debunked by news outlets.
Amrit, drawing from his professional experience, pushed back strongly. "They're not here to steal your jobs or get benefits; they're here to escape persecution and make a better life," he stated, citing past clients now working for the NHS. He perceived Jon's stance as reducing complex issues to a simplistic division between "good immigrant and bad immigrant".
Tommy Robinson and The Takeaways
The debate extended to the controversial figure of Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League. Jon declared himself "Team Tommy", arguing that despite being a "roughest bugger", Robinson has principles and left the BNP when he realised they wouldn't accept non-white members.
Amrit countered directly, labelling Robinson a criminal based on his convictions. "If somebody finds themselves in court, the conviction is based on what the evidence suggests," Amrit reasoned.
Despite the clear ideological gulf, both men found value in the encounter. Amrit's takeaway was the importance of listening to the other side, even if he felt Jon's arguments relied on conspiracy theories. He would meet for coffee again, but would likely avoid the topic of Islam. Jon, meanwhile, felt the meeting confirmed his stereotype of a Guardian reader, someone who would maintain their viewpoint despite presented facts.
Their dinner, part of a series, highlights the profound and often personal divides in UK society on issues of identity, belonging, and politics, demonstrating how difficult—yet potentially necessary—such dialogues are.
