Dining across the divide: ‘I was expecting a staunch Tory, pro death-penalty, climate nihilist’

5 hours ago 2

David, 64, Bristol

Close-up of a man's face, in his 60s, smiling

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Voting record David, whose parents were staunch trade unionists, backed the Conservatives until 1997, when he voted for Blair. Recently he has voted Lib Dem and describes his politics as “all over the place and dependent on the subject matter”

Amuse bouche Once – at the rooftop pool of a posh Beverly Hills hotel, with jet lag and flu, and on new medication – David barked like a seal at Liv Tyler

Laurence, 25, Bristol

Close-up of a man's face, in his 20s, smiling

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Voting record Voted for Labour when Corbyn was leader, but has since switched to Green. Describes himself as socially and fiscally progressive and to the left of Starmer’s Labour party

Amuse bouche When Laurence was 16 his college band was asked to support Clem Burke, the drummer from Blondie, and his band. “I felt he was up himself, but it was something to tell our parents”

For starters

David I was there first. The waitress, who was a delight, sorted a glass of Picpoul for me. Then Laurence rocked up. I noticed that the button-down collars on his shirt weren’t buttoned down, which I thought displayed an admirable streak of rebelliousness. I had some hummus and then grilled meat.

Laurence I’m vegetarian and the first thing David asked me was, “What can I order that can most offend you?” I had three or four Asahis. By the end, David said, “You’ve got to stop drinking that shit, get into some fine wine.”

Two men sitting eating at a restaurant table, one in his 60s, one in his 20s

The big beef

David As this country lurches more towards a rightwing agenda, capital punishment would probably become a vote winner.

Laurence It would be a step backwards as a society, to have state-sanctioned killing of criminals.

David State-sponsored killing is completely different: it means going out to assassinate someone. We talked about the Southport stabbings, and I said, “I want you to imagine what it’s like being the parent of one of those girls who died.” The destiny of those people has been changed by this horrific event; do you think they should have the option to change his destiny?

Laurence I don’t think seeing a killer executed is what brings victims’ families any sense of justice, or solace. People close to me have been victims of serious crimes, and often they don’t get justice, but they can still heal. It’s through talking, engaging with other victims. How we support victims is what is important.

Sharing plate

David We agreed we didn’t think net zero was attainable. He said we’d be lucky if there’s a 2C increase in global temperatures. I think we’ll be lucky if it’s 3C. There isn’t the will in China, Brazil, the Middle East, Russia or the US now. Surely what we should be doing now is preparing to adapt for what’s going to come our way.

Laurence I agree that we need to adapt and accept the reality. But I am also more optimistic, in the sense that we should still be trying, because we have a responsibility to younger people.

For afters

David Laurence thinks billionaires should be taxed more and that wealth should be distributed more evenly. If you returned to the super tax levels of the 1960s and 70s, people would just leave. That’s what happened then. And there are always going to be competent lawyers and accountants who are able to get you out of a hole.

Laurence There’s clearly a flaw in our economic system if people are allowed to be that wealthy. David thinks focusing on billionaires is overblown, but it’s the right thing to do ethically, as well as a source of taxation.

David Everybody should commit to a fair share of taxation. But there are lots of people who find a way out. Some of them are not super wealthy, they do cash in hand, I know plenty.

Laurence He’s more of an individualist and a realist: everyone’s in it for themselves – that’s just the way it is. I’m more: no, there is this wealth in society, we should be redistributing it fairly.

Takeaways

David When we shook hands at the end, he put his other hand on my shoulder, which was lovely. We may have differences, generationally and politically, but I think I saw his points and he saw mine. If I saw Laurence again, I would buy him a pint of the shitty lager that he likes.

Laurence I was expecting a staunch Tory, pro-death penalty, climate nihilist, but of course there’s nuance to these things. I had a nice evening.