Wendy, 55, Bristol
Occupation Works in IT
Voting file Largely Labour, relying on their insurance policies. Would by no means vote Conservative
Amuse bouche Has been taking part in on-line video games because the early 2000s, with strangers from everywhere in the world, a few of whom have turn into pals in actual life. Presently performs Kings of Avalon
Rob, 58, Bristol
Occupation Self-employed health coach and a coach in battle administration and bodily interventions. Additionally does property upkeep
Voting file Used to vote Conservative as a result of he thought the native MP was good; when he stood down, voted Reform, primarily in protest
Amuse bouche A couple of years in the past he cycled throughout the US, from St Augustine, Florida, to Santa Monica pier in California
For starters
Rob She’s very pleasant. I requested her: “Have you ever been nervous all day?” She stated: “Completely. I’ve been studying up on issues and rehearsing what to say.” The dialog simply flowed.
Wendy He was excellent. I don’t like his politics, however that’s to be anticipated.
Rob We had some sourdough and balsamic vinegar. Wendy had the one thing parfait …
Wendy … rooster liver parfait. Breast of duck. Cannelloni with raspberries and seafood. It was actually uncommon, although within the Elizabethan period they typically put fruit of their savoury meals.
The massive beef
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Rob There wasn’t a lot substance to Wendy’s argument for why she disliked Trump. I believe he’s a really Marmite character, however until you reside within the US, it’s very troublesome to gauge what Trump is about. Should you watch the BBC, they’re going to painting him in a sure gentle; for those who go on Twitter and discover an impartial journalist, they’re going to painting him in a very totally different gentle. It’s troublesome, too, as a result of he’s solely acquired 20 phrases in his vocabulary. However I believe he has the US’s pursuits at coronary heart. I don’t suppose he has an ulterior motive.
Wendy I believe Trump’s misogynistic. “Seize them by the pussy” is an terrible factor to say about girls. What he’s bodily completed in actual life is even worse. I believe Rob was in favour of his insurance policies, however they’re so imprecise and so opportunistic I really feel they’re all a bit pants, actually. I didn’t purchase Rob’s line on the media – I believe newspapers simply report what they see. And if something, the bias can be the opposite approach spherical, as a result of his supporters personal the media.
Rob We agreed that the federal government shouldn’t be telling girls they don’t have a proper to an abortion. However she stated Trump was the antichrist due to that, and I stated: “Perhaps it’s as a result of the church is so ingrained in US politics. Once you get to the Bible belt, that vote carries lots of weight. Trump has an obligation to hold their ideas and take abortion off the desk.”
Wendy Trump’s strengths are that he will get on effectively with the enemy, like Russia and North Korea. I believe it’s bordering on treason to fraternise with the enemy.
Sharing plate
Rob Neither of us like Tommy Robinson, however I defended his proper to free speech, identical to I’d defend Jeremy Corbyn’s proper to free speech. We dwell in a democracy – until he’s being actually derogatory to a sure race, he shouldn’t be shut down.
Wendy I may do with out individuals like Tommy Robinson – or Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – and I don’t suppose Rob likes him a lot both. However he thinks Nigel Farage has some good factors, and he voted Reform, which shocked me, as a result of he’s such a pleasant chap.
For afters
Rob We agreed that there wasn’t a local weather disaster. I stated: “None of us are going to die, the world’s not going to finish in 20 years’ time.” She stated she thinks there shall be large catastrophic occasions additional down the road.
Wendy My first diploma was in environmental science and environmental biology, so I didn’t agree there was no disaster. I believe we’ll expertise a sequence of catastrophic incidents, getting nearer collectively, with a possible remaining extinction occasion.
Takeaways
Rob We hugged one another on the finish, and stated that we’d be type about one another. She stated she had a pleasant time, and I did too.
Wendy We parted on excellent phrases. I like individuals with totally different views, it makes me suppose. If everybody thought the identical approach, life can be boring.
Extra reporting: Kitty Drake
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