In an era of deep political division, a simple dinner conversation between two strangers from opposite ends of the spectrum has offered a glimpse of common ground. Fraz, a 22-year-old law graduate from Bradford, and Pete, a 48-year-old software engineering manager and Reform UK voter from Barnard Castle, sat down for a three-hour meal that challenged their preconceptions.
An Unlikely Meeting of Minds
The pair met at the Rose & Crown in Romaldkirk, County Durham, for the Guardian's 'Dining Across the Divide' series. Fraz, who is training to be a commercial solicitor and describes himself as politically central, was initially wary. "All I knew about Pete was that he was a Reform voter, so the likelihood was that he’d be older," he admitted. Pete, a self-described floating voter "slightly right of centre," was immediately impressed by his dining companion, calling Fraz a "very impressive young lad – intelligent and articulate."
Their conversation began on personal notes, with Pete revealing he had lived in Pakistan for six months in his youth, which surprised Fraz, who was born there before his father claimed asylum in the UK when he was two. They bonded over a shared love of football—Pete supports Middlesbrough, Fraz Chelsea—and enjoyed a meal of fish cakes and venison for Pete, and a double serving of salmon for Fraz.
The Immigration Debate: A Clash of Perspectives
The discussion inevitably turned to one of the most contentious issues in British politics: immigration. Pete expressed a nuanced view, stating he doesn't blame individuals for seeking a better life but is concerned about scale. "Immigration’s too high. We’re poor at building housing and services for the level of immigration we have," he argued, pointing to pressures on dentist appointments and school places.
Fraz countered by focusing on the type of immigrants arriving, noting that asylum seekers and illegal migrants constitute a tiny proportion. "My argument would be: which type of immigrants would you not want coming?" he asked, highlighting skilled workers like nurses and doctors. He identified the root cause as a UK skills shortage that isn't being fixed. On integration, Fraz stressed it is a "two-way street," requiring effort from both newcomers and the government to facilitate community cohesion.
Surprising Consensus on Taxing Wealth
Despite their differences, the pair found significant common ground on economic policy. They both agreed that the UK has "failed to tax billionaires in a way that makes sense." Pete criticised a system where "income is taxed more than accumulated wealth, and that’s wrong." This agreement struck Fraz as particularly noteworthy. "He agreed with me on a wealth tax, which I thought was unusual for a Reform voter," he said.
Pete explained his political disenchantment, describing himself as a floating voter unhappy with the main parties. While acknowledging that some of Reform's far-right rhetoric is unhelpful and that Nigel Farage can be "a bit slippery," he expressed a pragmatic desire for results.
Fraz, reflecting on the dangers of political rhetoric, shared a personal experience. Following the Southport attack and subsequent misinformation on social media platform X, a mob targeted his mosque in Bradford, bricking windows and smashing a police car. He chose to highlight the positive community response, where locals raised around £13,000 for the mosque, which was then donated to local charities. "The fear of the unknown is something we have to get away from," he concluded.
Building Bridges Over a Three-Hour Dinner
Both men left the encounter feeling positive and inspired. Pete found the experience "marvellous," valuing the chance to connect with someone 25 years his junior from entirely different life experiences. Fraz found it "inspiring and heartwarming," and was struck by Pete's optimism for the future. The bridge built over dinner was strong enough to extend an invitation for a future cup of tea, proving that even across the deepest political divides, respectful dialogue can forge genuine human connection.
