In a Bristol restaurant, two men from opposite ends of the political spectrum sat down for a meal that would test the boundaries of civil discourse. Celestino, a 55-year-old American retiree who voted for Trump in 2024, faced Miles, a 39-year-old accountant and lumberjack who typically supports the Green Party.
An Unexpected Meeting of Minds
Celestino admitted he was expecting to meet "some leftist, anti-capitalist, socialist Guardianista" but found Miles to be more measured than anticipated. The conversation began casually at The Saigon Kitchen, where both enjoyed fish dishes while observing a cookery course in progress.
Miles noted the sudden shift in tone when Celestino "suddenly switched on: right, we're here to debate." He observed that if Celestino considers himself a centrist, he's "an American centrist; their centre is right of ours."
Clashing Over Trump and Immigration
The discussion quickly turned to American politics and immigration. Celestino defended his support for Donald Trump, citing dissatisfaction with Kamala Harris and concerns about border security. "My cousin was complaining that the school was now filled with children of migrants," he shared, explaining his perspective shaped by a recent visit to New Jersey.
Miles countered with economic arguments, questioning Trump's trade policies. "What about the farmers who haven't sold a single soya bean to China because of his trade war?" he challenged. The accountant pointed out that two-thirds of the workforce in some American states consists of migrants, suggesting Trump's approach could harm the very economy he claims to protect.
Celestino remained firm in his support, claiming "the radical left hates him, no matter what. If Trump announced a cure for cancer, the left would complain he's putting scientists out of work."
Finding Common Ground and Future Meetings
Despite their political differences, both men agreed strongly on the importance of financial education. They shared concerns that financial literacy isn't adequately taught in either the UK or US, possibly deliberately by governments or banks. Miles emphasised that "children should be given age-appropriate financial education, so they understand how it all works and don't get caught up in scams."
The debate over immigration continued with Celestino comparing undocumented migrants to squatters and emphasising that his own family "followed the rules, waited our turn - other people should do the same." Miles acknowledged that the argument for enforcing rules isn't completely wrong but criticised ICE's tactics, noting they're "not picking illegal migrants, it's anyone who isn't white."
Remarkably, the heated discussion ended on a positive note. Celestino described the experience as "a blast" and believed they had established a genuine connection. Miles expressed interest in a second meeting, reflecting that often "you're so caught up in the conversation, you're not really thinking about it." Both men continued chatting until Miles had to leave to care for his son, suggesting that civil discourse across political divides remains possible, even in today's polarised climate.
