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'Politics hinders a British Obama'
Joe Murphy, Political Editor25 Mar 2009
BRITONS are ready to elect a black prime minister - but the system may never give them a chance, a study concluded today.
It found a "deepening tide of tolerance" over the past 50 years, with attitudes to race similar in Britain to the US. But America's political system was better at promoting black talent than Parliament or local councils.
Author Professor Robert Putman said: "The minimal representation of non-whites in the House of Commons is a significant bar to the arrival of a British Obama."
The researchers, from Harvard and Manchester, tracked views on mixed marriage and other tell-tale signs, on both sides of the Atlantic since the Fifties. Last year equalities watchdog Trevor Phillips said he doubted the UK's political machinery would let a "British Obama" break through.
Reader views (21)
A black Prime Minister couldn't be worse than a Brown one.
- Judith C, London, UK, 27/03/2009 14:11
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Why don't people realise that Mr Obama got where he is today under his own steam and is a well respected man, unlike most of the present day politicians.
I am fed up with well meaning liberal idiots patronising black people - just because they are black.
My next door neighbour once told me that the only time he realises he is different to other people in our neighbourhood is when some liberal idiot reminds him via the media ! He is a solicitor who worked hard at school and university and just wants to be left alone to enjoy his profession and his friends.
- Kathy Doyle, London - England, 27/03/2009 14:06
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Marianne from SW France: you can't blame all your country's problems on President Sarkozy - strikes were endemic under Chirac and Mitterrand too.
But for all countries of the world, surely it's time to become colour blind and focus instead on results, not race?!
- Frank, Home Counties, England, UK, 27/03/2009 12:38
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Blair "an Obama"! what planet are you on, Stephen Rothbart. Blair who sent us to war on a lie, who has done nothing to end the Middle East conflict. Blair is one of the reasons why Obama has such a task on his hands now that he is President.
- ann, london, 27/03/2009 12:08
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What about a ginger PM? Is that the real 'last taboo'?!
- Helen, London, UK, 27/03/2009 10:48
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How about an Irish Prime Minister?
- Dr Vincent Argent, Friston, East Sussex, 26/03/2009 21:29
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Are we electing an MP or a fashion statement? It does not matter what colour they may be, but if they are any good. The jury is still out on Obama, but for my money, we already did elect an Obama. His name was Blair, and he was also good at winning elections but useless afterwards.
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague Czech Republic, 26/03/2009 15:30
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To be honest, a British Barack Obama couldn't do a worse job that any other white man or woman in power in the last 40 years. I think we should give him a chance. The meltdown that we are experiencing has to be put fairly and squarely on the doorsteps of No 10 and Parliament. Very few black men or women there.
- Pabs, London, 26/03/2009 12:16
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I would gladly welcome a leader from the ethnic minorities - in fact I honestly believe that such a leader, who can implement the will of the majority and put the UK first, is the only way the UK will get itself out of its current malaise. He or she could tell things the way they are without being constrained by politically correct claptrap.
- Ab, London, 26/03/2009 09:25
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Ian Wright, Wright . Wright. He'll do.
- Teddy Picker, London, 25/03/2009 21:07
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Does it really matter who we have as a figurehead leader? About 80% of our laws are now effectively made in Europe, and a British PM cannot pass a budget without it having to be acceptable to the European Commission in Brussels.
- Brian, London, 25/03/2009 16:52
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If I had been American I would have voted for Obama because he was the best candidate but not "just because he is black." That seems to me to be a rather subtle form of racism in itself.
We do need better representation from ethnic minorities in our politics, but voting people in on the basis of colour will delay rather than advance a truly equal society.
- Danny, London, 25/03/2009 14:51
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I wish they would call it what it is...he is not the first black president, he is the first bi-racial president. Kind of what you have right now - a Scot trying to do and Englishman's job.
- Dee, Chesapeake USA formerly London, 25/03/2009 14:43
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It's not colour I am interested in. It's what they will do for my country that matters. Easy !
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 25/03/2009 13:36
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I couldn't care less what colour they are as long as they can get us out of Nu Lab's economic crash
- Mcw, London, 25/03/2009 13:32
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Lenny Henry isn't even a laugh as a comic.
- Bob, London, 25/03/2009 13:31
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beware, uk- you have too many of the wrong types in politics- extremists' agenda?
- Beljamine, uk, 25/03/2009 13:24
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We don't elect prime ministers, and they aren't presidents, for which I thank the Lord. We elect MPs who are supposed to represent their local constituency, which ought to mean voting against their party whenever there is a clearly expressed constituency desire for them to do so. I wish the electorate would think a bit harder on whether their MP has actually represented them, or whether he's just lobby fodder for his party. If we voted in a much less partisan way, we might actually get less sleaze and a more representative government.
- Nigel, London, 25/03/2009 13:17
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The current PM has inflicted irreparable damage in this area, as, I think another 'Brown' PM is out of the question!
- Kevin Sullivan, LONDON, 25/03/2009 12:50
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Right now I think we'd elect a black sheep, ANYONE other than Crash ... [no disrespect to Mr Obama who I believe is doing an admirable job]
- Marianne, SW France, 25/03/2009 12:19
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Lenny Henry would be a laugh as a PM.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 25/03/2009 12:06
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