[LifeStyle] Dining across the divide: ‘It’s so nice to meet someone who has an opinion, and isn’t going to shout at you’

[BirSaNN]

One’s a lifelong Labour voter, the other a Tory, and they disagree on women’s rights around trans issues – but can they agree on immigration?

Zoe Williams
Zoe Williams
@zoesqwilliams
Thu 4 May 2023 12.30 BST
Elliot, 29, Milton Keynes
Elliot
Occupation Patient administrator for a private cancer treatment centre

Voting record Has always voted Labour, but sometimes as the lesser of two evils

Amuse bouche Did karate for 12 years, but was too young to become a master

Harinder, 55, Milton Keynes
Harinder
Occupation OSS solution architect: designs the systems that underpin telecommunications networks

Voting record Always Conservative, although he did vote for Blair in 1997

Amuse bouche “Just an average middle-aged family man, apart from the archery and the target practice”

For starters
Elliot I had the scotch egg with chorizo, which was absolutely banging. For main, I had a paella. The portion size was stupid, but I managed to get through most of it.

Harinder I had the bread with olive oil and balsamic. Then the beef wellington.

Elliot He was really chatty, really charismatic. He had this lovely voice – I could listen to him talk all day.

Harinder I love him – he’s brilliant, really entertaining. It’s so nice to meet someone who has an opinion, and isn’t just going to shout that at you.

link: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/may/04/dining-across-the-divide-elliot-harinder