Two English retirees living in Scotland discovered they share a deep regret over Brexit and concerns for younger generations, despite holding opposing views on Scottish independence, during a revealing dinner conversation in Edinburgh.
A Meeting of Minds with a Key Divide
Geoff, 66 from Fife, and Terry, 68 from Haddington, East Lothian, found an immediate connection. Both are former corporate executives from northern, working-class grammar school backgrounds who have lived in the United States. Their meal at Noto in Edinburgh featured crab bisque, halibut, and a chocolate fondant, accompanied by wine and whisky.
Their political histories, however, revealed a divergence. Geoff has consistently voted Labour, bar one Lib Dem vote, while Terry was a lifelong Labour supporter until switching to the SNP in the last two elections. This set the stage for their central debate.
The Independence Question and a Shared Brexit Dismay
The core of their discussion centred on Scotland's constitutional future. Terry is a proponent of Scottish independence, primarily driven by a desire to rejoin the European Union. He argued that he would "rather live in a Scotland that’s part of Europe than live in a Scotland that’s part of an isolated UK."
Geoff, while sympathetic to the European cause, remains sceptical about the practicalities of an independent Scotland regaining EU membership and is more attached to the United Kingdom. Both men unequivocally agreed that the UK's departure from the EU was a terrible mistake. Terry even suggested the 2016 referendum should have required a majority in each of the four UK nations.
Notably, Terry observed that many English people residing in Scotland have a "visceral reaction" to independence talk, but found Geoff's pragmatic engagement to be a refreshing exception.
Common Ground on a Crisis of Opportunity
Where the pair found their strongest alignment was on the declining prospects for young people. They expressed shared "angst" that the next generation lacks the same opportunities and social mobility they benefited from.
Terry, whose dock worker father and shop worker mother saw him rise to the board of Microsoft UK, stated bluntly: "This is really the first generation where the ethos of 'get your head down, work hard, and things will be better' is not working any more." They discussed the corrosive role of nepotism, contrasting modern barriers with the opportunities provided by post-war social policies like high marginal tax rates funding cultural and educational access.
Their conversation also touched on personal contradictions common to their generation. Both left-wing in outlook, they admitted to sending their children to private schools and owning second homes, though Terry advocated for stricter regulation of the latter.
The Takeaway: Respect and a Plan to Dine Again
The dinner concluded with mutual respect. Geoff said Terry was "similar to myself and I respect his thoughts and his decisions." The pair enjoyed the discussion so much they planned a follow-up lunch in Edinburgh in a few weeks. Their dialogue underscores the nuanced, personal dimensions behind the major political questions shaping contemporary Britain, proving that even where divides exist, constructive conversation is possible.
