Occupation: Property Manager
Political Affiliation: Consistently Conservative
Personal Interest: Embarked on a cycling journey from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, completing the Scottish border in five days and taking an additional four days to reach the final destination, discovering that Scotland is larger than anticipated.
Occupation: University Researcher
Political Affiliation: Historically supported Labour; currently aligns with the Liberal Democrats due to the political landscape in Bath involving a contest against Conservatives.
Personal Interest: Spent a week trekking approximately 75 miles of the Camino de Santiago in Spain with friends, opting not to carry bags or stay in conventional hostels.
Graham: I found her to be younger than I had anticipated. Meeting someone for the first time, especially when discussing potentially sensitive topics, always brings a certain tension. However, she turned out to be excellent company and very enjoyable to be with.
Katherine: He appeared very pleasant and approachable. We both ordered mussels and sea bream, and I opted for blackcurrant sorbet while he had a delightful blood orange dessert.
Graham: I definitely consider myself a supporter of Europe, although I have some reservations about federalization. I envisioned the possibility of forming a United States of Europe, creating a formidable trading bloc and a significant global force. Many Europeans share common ties and perspectives, and I believed that being part of it would allow us to exert influence. I was disheartened by the referendum outcome. I don’t hold David Cameron accountable; he fulfilled his promise to allow the public to vote.
Katherine: We both concurred that Brexit was bound to lead to negative outcomes, which have indeed materialized. However, we differed on accountability; I felt David Cameron acted with undue confidence, assuming he would win, and he effectively abandoned ship when he lost. Graham believed Jeremy Corbyn bore some responsibility due to his ambiguous stance on Brexit.
Graham: At that time, Corbyn was indecisive, failing to advocate strongly for remaining in the EU. I felt that if he had presented a more convincing argument for staying, the outcome could have been different. He appeared to want the Conservative Party to stumble, while Nigel Farage was astute and an excellent orator.
Katherine: Farage’s opportunistic behavior and his unpleasant conduct in the European Parliament, coupled with his lack of accountability for the repercussions, were appalling. I expressed that I found him despicable, to which Graham thought my assessment was a bit harsh.
Graham: She expressed concerns about second homes being purchased by outsiders in the UK, which drives housing prices up and makes it challenging for locals to afford a home. It can be particularly tough for individuals from attractive areas, like Richmond, to afford their first property there, leading them to relocate elsewhere.
Katherine: He acknowledged the housing crisis, recognizing that insufficient supply is a significant issue. He was sympathetic to the difficulties faced by others. While I’m not entirely informed on this topic, I sense that it has become increasingly challenging for young people to buy homes today. In our youth, it was difficult but achievable; I don’t believe that’s the case now.
Graham: I noted that even when I was 22 or 23, purchasing my first property was not straightforward. It was only due to securing a better-paying job that I managed to do it. It was a struggle.
Katherine: The term “woke” is often used derogatorily against those who are behaving decently. Personally, I believe it is commendable to reject racism, homophobia, and misogyny. I’ve noticed even scientists addressing climate change being labeled as woke, which frustrates me.
Graham: I don’t believe in marginalizing anyone. Where does one draw the line? Is it people with red hair, those who are tall, or individuals who are overweight? Once you start marginalizing, it turns individuals into victims.
Graham: While we did not exchange contact information, our meeting was friendly. I thought it would be nice to connect as couples.
Katherine: I genuinely enjoyed my time with him; he was a very kind person.
Additional Reporting: Kitty Drake
Location: Graham and Katherine dined at The Circus Restaurant in Bath
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