Dining across the divide: I was really hardline about immigration but her struggles softened me a bit'
Briefly

Sunyi is a novelist who votes across Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green in local elections and once climbed a metal pole during a lightning storm to impress a girl. Francis, 58 from Huddersfield, is not working now but used to drive trams in Manchester; he voted Conservative in the last two elections and would probably vote Reform today. They compared impressions: Francis felt confident from public-facing work and noticed potential nervousness, while Sunyi cited family conservatism and diverse social contacts. They described meals and revealed migration details: Sunyi experienced years without documentation after arriving for university, which derailed her life.
Sunyi I have a lot of family who are very conservative and I talk to a lot of people with different backgrounds, so I wasn't too nervous. He took the time to learn how to say my name properly most people don't! Francis For starters, I had chicken goujons and dips. For the main I had pulled brisket and chips with a classic cheeseburger. It was really good. Also a shandy, because I was driving.
Sunyi You can only claim asylum by showing up. In my case, I came for university, and the Home Office lost my documents. So I was essentially illegal for four years. It derailed my life. People often say, Well, that's a special case, but every case is special. I think people are good at being kind to someone who's in front of them, but when it becomes ab
Francis, 58, Huddersfield Occupation Not working right now, but was a tram driver in Manchester Voting record Conservative for the last two elections. If voting today, probably Reform, but certainly not Labour Amuse bouche He once entered a competition to go on to the Manchester City football pitch and kick a ball from the goalline to the centre circle. He got the ball closest to the circle, and won a free trip to the 2006 World Cup final
Read at www.theguardian.com
[
|
]