This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/21/dining-across-the-divide-anna-jj
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us
Anna, ‘in her 40s’, Exeter
Occupation Education educational on the University of Exeter
Voting document Sometimes Labour, typically Green
Amuse bouche She’s just lately began writing pop songs, and acquired an electronic mail from BBC Introducing saying they’d simply performed her newest on the radio
JJ, 19, Exeter
Occupation Full-time medical sciences scholar, part-time tennis coach
Voting document Lib Dem
Amuse bouche He runs a free neighborhood tennis programme for all ages and skills to assist social mobility and maintain park courts free to entry
For starters
Anna I used to be actually excited as a result of I’m a single dad or mum – I don’t usually exit. It was very easy and pure, not a single awkward second.
JJ We lined up on a couple of social points: she high-fived me after I instructed her I went to a Surfers Against Sewage protest.
Anna The squid particularly was completely superb. For my fundamental, I had the Cornish market fish on beans, and for dessert I had Eton mess, which they paired with a dessert wine – and we shared a cheese board. I can’t keep in mind the final time I had such a good meal.
JJ My starter was so good I don’t assume I can ever eat asparagus once more. Then I had superb prosecco-battered fish and triple-cooked chips with crushed peas. And the matcha chocolate cremeux for dessert.
The huge beef
Anna We agreed that King Charles appears to be doing a very good job, however I don’t assume that makes the system OK. I’m from Germany initially, and the hard-won lesson from the Third Reich was to not centre institutional continuity round specific people.
JJ I might simply hate the thought of a President Blair or President Truss. Whereas we have been all rooting for King Charles to place Trump in his place and train the gentle diplomacy that he’s at all times been good at. I don’t assume a president would have the identical impact.
Anna I believe Trump exhibits up the dangers we run with the monarchy – it’s a take a look at for whether or not the checks and balances work within the present circumstances. Does Britain have the checks and balances to face up to a rogue participant?
JJ I’ve fond reminiscences of my sixth birthday, as a result of we had a giant road occasion for the diamond jubilee. There’s one thing about that togetherness that we solely get with the monarchy.
Sharing plate
Anna He talked about that the laborious left French politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon as soon as proposed a coverage of 100% revenue tax over €400,000 (£350,000). I stated I’m completely in favour of that, however assume the brink must be decrease. Nobody ought to earn greater than £200,000.
JJ I don’t agree with extremes, of wealth or of poverty. An revenue cap that low goes to stifle funding into the nation. People gained’t wish to stay right here if they’ll’t have their well-paid company jobs in contrast with different nations. And how efficient is an revenue cap when the tremendous wealthy simply take their cash via capital good points, dividends and property?
For afters
Anna I don’t assume jail is the correct response to nonviolent offences. For me, the query is: what’s it you wish to obtain, and is jail the pathway to reaching that? Not having a TV licence continues to be a legal offence disproportionally affecting girls, and never paying the fantastic can result in imprisonment. Why can Angela Rayner say non-payment of a £40,000 tax invoice was a mistake and proceed her political profession whereas a single mum not paying her TV licence goes to jail?
JJ I agree folks shouldn’t go to jail for small issues like not paying the TV licence, however with one thing like Palestine Action it’s troublesome, as a result of they’re doing fallacious issues. If they commit legal harm they need to go to jail. But we shouldn’t be imprisoning folks for holding up a placard that claims, “I support Palestine Action”.
Takeaways
Anna We had a very good dialogue. I believe it was a lesson for me, that in case you put out totally different factors of views, look at them collectively and are open to listening to the opposite particular person’s opinion, it’s actually good for altering attitudes.
JJ When you’re breaking bread with somebody, the temperature of the dialogue doesn’t improve the way in which it does on social media. If solely we might get extra folks to do it.
Additional reporting: Kitty Drake
Anna and JJ ate at The Galley Restaurant in Topsham, Exeter
Want to satisfy somebody from throughout the divide? Find out how to participate
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its authentic location you possibly can go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jun/21/dining-across-the-divide-anna-jj
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us
