Steve, 36, Manchester
Occupation Name centre technical assist
Voting report Labour, then Conservative and most not too long ago Reform. Says he’s “most likely barely proper of centre”
Amuse bouche A bike accident when he was 17 left Steve technically lifeless for a minute or two and in a coma for about 10 days. “I slept by means of the arduous bit and awakened properly rested”
Gavin, 36, Manchester
Occupation Consultancy, and educating forest faculty
Voting report At all times Labour. Describes himself as “fairly left”
Amuse bouche Gavin and his husband’s wedding ceremony was nearly ruined when the venue was double-booked with an Irish competition. However ultimately they acquired a free wedding ceremony and a free magician thrown in
For starters
Steve The very first thing was burrata. Not for me, I used to be not ready for that texture! Then we had steaks. I had a Coke, however moved on to beer on the finish.
Gavin I had soda water as a result of I don’t drink and don’t actually like tender drinks.
Steve He’s from Wales, I lived there for a bit, so we mentioned that. He’s additional left than me, however not insanely left.
Gavin We’re the identical age, and grew up in rural, non-diverse communities, then moved to Manchester.
The massive beef
after e-newsletter promotion
Steve Gavin could be very anti-Trump. I feel he’s superb and can be seen traditionally as a middling president. He’s brash, and I perceive why folks don’t like him, however I’d have been stunned if he’d misplaced the election as a result of the final 4 years have been fairly unhealthy, with rising inflation. Kamala wasn’t elected, they simply put her in, which left a bitter style.
Gavin I don’t like Trump’s monitor report on LGBTQ and trans rights. He’s harmful in what he says: in a latest speech he referred to an brazenly homosexual information anchor utilizing a feminine title, after which laughed. It emboldens folks to comply with that hate. I wouldn’t really feel protected to go to America when he’s in workplace.
Steve Trump is a deal-maker with a enterprise mindset, and that resulted in an excellent financial system till the tip – you possibly can’t blame him for Covid. After they speak about his lies, I feel: “Oh no, politician mendacity, cease the presses! All of them do!” The 6 January factor was a bit overblown, it wasn’t as unhealthy as folks made out. His international coverage left a bit to be desired, however he was a uncommon president who didn’t begin a brand new struggle.
Gavin In a bizarre means, I’m not nervous about Trump beginning wars: he appears to focus extra on America. However he lies and contradicts himself. It’s insane that any convicted felon is in politics. And placing RFK Jr, a vaccine sceptic, in command of well being!
Sharing plate
Steve We mentioned kids on screens and what it does developmentally. I’ve seen a five-year-old purchased GTA 5 – that’s not applicable.
Gavin We type of agreed that the federal government doesn’t all the time spend cash in the suitable means. However his view was that issues must be privatised as a result of governments aren’t excellent at organising issues. That’s their solely job: that’s what they need to be doing.
For afters
Steve Freedom of speech must be protected. While you get to hate speech legal guidelines and hate crimes, you begin placing authorized limits on subjective factors. Folks have been arrested for Fb posts and jokes. Regulation must be primarily based on arduous details the place there’s not a lot room for interpretation. Theft is simple: you stole this, right here is your sentence. In the event you ban the BNP or Tommy Robinson, it goes underground and festers. In the event you get them out within the daylight with a dialogue, you may change minds.
Gavin I don’t disagree that it’s tough, however hate speech a couple of marginalised neighborhood isn’t OK for my part. It must be policed. Even in Manchester my husband and I expertise homophobic abuse. This may increasingly sound impolite, however Steve appears sheltered. For instance, he doesn’t assume there must be a homosexual village, as a result of homosexual folks can go wherever. I stated: “That’s nice if all people’s pretty such as you, Steve, however not all people is.”
Takeaways
Steve The world is more and more divided. The way in which to convey us collectively is with dialog, not screaming and calling one another evil. We have been respectful, and after we disagreed, we tried to see the place the opposite was coming from.
Gavin He’s the type of particular person I would meet, however after a couple of minutes I’d make my excuses and depart. So it was attention-grabbing to have time to speak to him about his life; it helped me perceive how he’s acquired to these viewpoints.
Further reporting: Kitty Drake
Gavin and Steve ate at Cicchetti in Manchester.
Need to meet somebody from throughout the divide? Learn the way to participate
Supply hyperlink
