Dining across the divide: ‘He didn’t change my mind on anything – but he did give me a lift to my car’

12 hours ago 7

Phill, 58, Hertfordshire

Occupation Stairlift surveyor

Voting record Always Conservative. Almost Reform UK in the last general election. Restore Britain in the next

Amuse bouche Phill has auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent many times. Never successfully, he says, because “I haven’t got a sob story”

Joe, 32, Cambridge

Occupation Agricultural engineer

Voting record Labour when Jeremy Corbyn was leader. More recently Green

Amuse bouche Joe is an expert at the Chinese strategy board game Go

For starters

Joe Phill was better dressed than I was. I’d been at an agricultural show, so I was dressed for being on a farm. We talked about our lives. I’m an immigrant from China, came to the UK when I was four, lived on a council estate. My dad worked in a takeaway. I have an eight-month-old daughter.

Phill I’m about to celebrate my silver wedding anniversary. I’ve got two boys at university, both home for the summer, working on the punts in Cambridge. Joe’s a nice chap. I didn’t think, oh God, he’s a lefty – I don’t judge people like that.

Joe We asked them to surprise us and they delivered a beautiful sharing board with many of their signature dishes; dal, lamb and chicken curries.

Phill The food was really nice. Washed down with a pint of cider.

The big beef

Joe I voted for the Greens because I was impressed by their manifesto. I liked their policy on housing – there are many vacant properties that could be converted in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way.

Phill I think Zack Polanski is a raving idiot, and a danger to the country. None of their policies have been costed – it just involves taxing companies and successful people more. I think Labour and the Tories are history. The next election will be Greens v Reform. I’m hoping [Restore Britain leader] Rupert Lowe might do a deal with Farage. I don’t trust Farage – he’s very establishment, a showman like Boris, but not as likable.

Joe I disagree that the Greens’ economic policies are unrealistic. I have seen Rupert Lowe’s website – I wouldn’t call it a manifesto. It seems to talk about immigrants and non-British people almost exclusively, which in my mind is insufficient policy to run a country.

Phill The country is in a lot of trouble, particularly with immigration, but also with far too many people on benefits that shouldn’t be. There are genuine people, but there are a lot that aren’t.

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Sharing plate

Joe We talked a little about foxhunting. He was strongly in favour. I was more on the fence, but I can see the economic benefit of allowing it to occur. I do think, from the videos I’ve seen, that the intention isn’t to cruelly kill the fox.

Phill It should never have been banned; it was wildlife management. Generally, the foxes that were killed were the injured ones. Since the ban, there has been something like a third less foxes in the countryside. Trail hunting – following a scent – is still allowed. Very occasionally, a fox will run out when they’re on the chase, and the dogs will chase it, but not with our hunt – my wife is master of the hounds.

Joe I asked Phill if I could come along and see what happens. I don’t have my own horse, or any dogs – perhaps he will lend me some.

For afters

Phill We agreed immigration is necessary, but disagreed on the type of immigration. I think it should be stopped for the time being so we sit back and look what’s happening to the country; then, if needed, start opening it up again but with the right people who are going to do something for the country rather than take, take, take.

Joe We agreed it wasn’t good to have people coming on small boats, but for me it was more about danger and money going to people traffickers. They are a small minority, and I feel he generalised from those people to the larger immigrant population. I would agree there are some bad immigrants, and he agrees there are some good ones. We didn’t discuss whether I was a good immigrant.

Takeaways

Phill Joe wasn’t how I was expecting a mad lefty to be – he’s well mannered, a family man, a decent chap.

Joe Phill didn’t change my mind about anything, but he is a great person – interesting, personable, charming. Because I’d parked further away, he gave me a lift to my car.