Finley, a 23-year-old planetary scientist from London, and Gavin, a 54-year-old retired software engineer also from London, recently met to discuss a range of political and social issues.
Finley, who voted Green in the last election, argued that giving power to the state to control utility companies would benefit constituents over shareholders. Gavin, who has voted Lib Dem and sometimes Green since Brexit, generally believes the open market is cheaper, though he conceded state-run utilities like Thames Water could potentially perform better, despite potential union constraints.
Both individuals expressed support for the legalisation of drugs. Gavin suggested it could provide government revenue through taxation and reduce crime incentives. Finley advocated for decriminalisation and treating addiction as a healthcare problem, citing Portugal as an example of this approach.
Their discussion also touched on national identity and flags. Finley stated that flags in diverse public places can connote division and expressed discomfort with the English flag due to its association with the far right and increased domestic abuse rates during World Cup losses. Gavin acknowledged that context matters with flags and found himself questioning the meaning of St George's flags during the World Cup due to their appropriation.