Emma, 34, a thinktank comms director who voted Tory or Lib Dem until 2024 (when she spoiled her ballot), and Alys, 36, a co-head of education at a cultural charity who has voted Labour and recently Green, met for dinner at the Prince Arthur in Belgravia, London. Their conversation covered welfare, taxes, billionaires, and the climate crisis, revealing stark differences but also mutual respect.
Starters and main courses
Alys was surprised by the fancy restaurant. They both had devilled eggs, with Alys requesting no caviar. For main, Alys chose a butter bean and artichoke dish, while Emma ordered sucking pig, which was larger than expected. Emma felt bad because Alys is vegetarian, but Alys said she is fine with others eating meat, as her partner and daughter do. Emma mentioned she is really into football; Alys is a fair-weather fan who once set up a casual women's football get-together.
The big debate: welfare and taxes
On defence spending, Alys is not against it if needed, but would fund it by raising taxes rather than cutting welfare. Emma would cut welfare, arguing that tax rises wouldn't raise as much revenue as people think and would damage economic growth. Alys countered that endless growth is unsustainable and pointless if it destroys the world or leaves people unable to afford to live. Emma responded that welfare sometimes pays more than work, leading to rational choices not to work, and that reform is needed to ensure work pays more.
Climate crisis and free speech
Both are concerned about emissions and the planet's trajectory. However, Alys supports government intervention to stop driving and reduce meat-eating, while Emma prefers private sector innovation. On free speech, they agreed to draw the line at harm or incitement to violence, but Emma's bar for harm is higher. Both oppose book bans.
Billionaires: hoarders or value creators?
Alys called Elon Musk a terrible human being who can do what he wants because of his wealth. Emma defended Musk's business side, citing SpaceX's success. Alys believes billionaires are hoarders and there should be a wealth ceiling, with excess going to the government; she thinks a trillionaire could solve world poverty. Emma argued that if someone creates value that people deem worth paying for, they deserve their wealth, citing Jeff Bezos and Amazon's convenience.
Takeaways
Emma felt neither shifted the other's views, but the conversation was not just a row. Alys said Emma's arguments made logical sense within her worldview, though she couldn't understand where Emma was coming from. Both agreed that two people from opposite political spectrums can disagree without anger or disrespect.
