Lucas, 23, Blackpool
Occupation Employed by the NHS
Voting record Supported Labour in 2024 but now regrets it – exploring the option of voting Green or Your party, if they organize properly before the upcoming election
Amuse bouche Lucas frequently visits Manchester as a member of Carnifolk, a performance art group. He typically portrays a whimsical bureaucrat dispatching people to_complete paperwork
Rose-Marie, 69, north of England
Occupation Retired, has experience across various sectors – including work with the police, at a newspaper, and as a hotel inspector
Voting record Has consistently voted Conservative, aside from during the 1997 election when she supported Tony Blair. However, in the last election, she found it impossible to vote Conservative due to the government’s handling of the Covid crisis
Amuse bouche At one point, Rose-Marie co-managed a French restaurant with her husband, who hails from Argentina. After selling the business, many of their former patrons invited them for meals, as they had fostered such a welcoming environment
For starters
Lucas Rose-Marie has significantly more life experience than me, having accomplished many intriguing things. Her travels have taken her across the globe. She offered engaging conversation, exhibiting poise and confidence.
Rose-Marie I thought, “He seems youthful.” He was very friendly and always smiling. I’d refer to him as naive. He sprinkled the F-word throughout our discussion around 15 times. It wasn’t aggressive or offensive, just casual expressions like “that fucking thing” and “those fucking people.” He likely didn’t even notice he was doing it.
Lucas We both opted for banquet C, commencing with duck pancakes.
Rose-Marie The next dish featured a chilli prawn dish, followed by chicken sweet and sour – all of it was delightful. I enjoyed two glasses of wine while he had two beers.
The big beef
Lucas The key point of disagreement was immigration. I consider myself a European, a passionate multiculturalist, and a strong advocate for immigration. Considering the history of our island nation, we cannot thrive without immigrants. Our 19th and 20th-century ideologies owe much to those who arrived here. She holds a very firm anti-immigration stance, to the extent that I might label it conspiratorial.
Rose-Marie I leaned back in my chair with my arms crossed, listening to him, and he felt like a person reading theatrical script on Trotsky and gesticulating. Immigration is utterly unmanageable. Individuals are facing escalating taxes, which are funding immigrants who don’t intend to contribute to society. It requires someone decisive to resolve the issue. Once the country stabilizes, it will then be time for citizens to choose more moderate options.
Sharing plate
Lucas We are in complete agreement about nuclear energy. This was a pleasant surprise for me. She acknowledges climate change, yet I remarked that corporations evade accountability for their environmentally harmful practices by convincing you it’s your fault for not recycling sufficiently. She disagreed with that perspective.
Rose-Marie Without capitalism, where would we be? Certainly, there are companies that exploit the system. But he was determinedly expressing himself – claiming to be a true socialist, veering toward communism. Then he elaborated on energy and wind turbines. I remarked, “Scotland has seas filled with potential oil and gas that could aid us until we resolve our energy challenges.”
For afters
Lucas I have a strong aversion to Trump; I likened him to a monstrous entity from folklore. There were economic views where she found common ground with him. I pointed out the numerous times he had gone bankrupt…
Rose-Marie He began to express his frustrations about Trump and the chaos he’s bringing us into, likening it to the Cuban missile crisis. I had to interject, “Hold on a second, the Cuban missile crisis? Are you aware of who the president was at that time?” His response was a blank stare, “Not really.” Trump is a divisive figure; there are aspects I detest along with others I believe he has handled well, and that’s my stance.
Takeaway
Lucas We engaged meaningfully. I genuinely enjoyed her company.
Rose-Marie There were no heated arguments, but our viewpoints differed. I attribute that to his lack of experience.
Additional reporting: Kitty Drake
Lucas and Rose-Marie dined at Michael Wan’s Mandarin located in Blackpool
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