By Andrew Grice
In characteristic style, Trevor Phillips has stirred up a debate about the prospects of Britain having its own Barack Obama. The outspoken chairman of Britain's Equalities and Human Rights Commission accused his own party, Labour, of "institutional racism" in a weekend interview in The Times but then appeared to backtrack after an angry backlash from Labour politicians.
Phillips was very good at seeing the limitations of multiculturalism but seems to have a strange blind spot about Obama. He didn't think Obama would win the Democratic Party's nomination, and suggested that him becoming president would not lead to "a post-racial America." Phillips should have done his homework before his latest remarks. As The Independent disclosed last week, new research by the Fabian Society shows a significant increase in the number of black and Asian candidates being chosen by Labour and the Conservatives. For Labour, it found, the "ethnic penalty" may no longer exist.
Sunder Katwala, the Fabians' general secretary, believes a bigger barrier to a British Obama may be the length of time most prime ministers have to spent in parliament before they land the top job; the British system doesn't really allow for insurgent candidates. Katwala criticises Phillips for being out of date and has a brilliant Obama-inspired put down for the equality chief: "We don't need the politics of 'no we can't' when that flies in the face of the evidence. The answer is 'yes we can'."
Never mind a black Prime Minister. What chance a black Queen?
Posted by: Graham Shears | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 12:30 PM
A Barack Obama type can not possibly be elected in the UK whilst we have a constitutional monarchy. We do not chose our leaders and unless we become a republic our parliamentary parties will never select such a person to become a leader. We need a republic first.
Posted by: Casino Hire | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 12:41 PM
Why the hell do we need a Black Queen, A Black James Bond, A Black Prime Minister, Select the best person for the Job..
And if the best person is black then excellent, this is he only fair and true non rascist way!
A Black Man fed up with white people pandering to us since Obamas Election (London)
Posted by: Dave Lee | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 12:45 PM
I don't know why people are acting surprised about Trevor Phillips comments. Institutional racism is a very real reality! How can it be explained that out of the 600 so MPs 15 of them are Black or Asian. Also until we see a fairer representation of Black successful people on TV i think we as a country will find it very hard to get highly intelligent people from ethnic minorities into positions of influence.
Posted by: Agnes Agyepong | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 03:52 PM
What is meant by a "British Obama"? A prime minister who happens to be black or a prime minister who will inspire millions of people to get involved in the political process? The latter achievement by Mr Obama is just as important as the colour of his skin.
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/swine/swine_oct08_13.htm
Posted by: Mike | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 03:58 PM
i cant believe the £15 billion Brown is said to be lining up in tax cuts and extra public wasting, sorry, spending will be anywhere near enough to revive the economy.
Posted by: Jason | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 05:39 PM
As a black man who has spent some time monitoring Trevor Phillips constant search for relevancy with his prima donna posturing, I have to say that he is undoubtedly a first class idiot and hypocrite. It was widely publicised , in February 2008, that Phillips heavily criticized the Obama candidacy by suggesting that the election of Obama would prolong the racial divide. Furthermore, he stated that Obama was taking advantage of his mixed heritage by playing on the guilt of white people. I believe that there are many individuals from an ethnic background who aspire to be Prime Minister and I encourage political participation. However, I for one, would be grateful for any political party that would sift out a self serving nonentity like Phillips if he aspired to be elected to the highest Public Office. Can you imagine Prime Minister Trevor Phillips in charge of the UK- Now that would be a serious set back for race relations.
Posted by: roger nett | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 05:45 PM
Britain has a long way before a person of colour can occupy no. 10. Britain is a Monarchy with an institutional and entrenched 'class system' almost comparable to the cast system in India. There is no 'British Dream' and sadly most ethnic minorities are realistic enough to know and grudgingly come to terms with limitations to any ambitions they might have. Most major institutions reflect this fact and some minorities migrate to the USA to realise their full potential without limitation.
Posted by: Ola Ade | Monday, 10 November 2008 at 07:44 PM
Britain is a wonderful place, most people are decent and fair play sort of people. in time if a good candidate (of any type) arise then they will have a good chance.
Posted by: Ahmed | Tuesday, 11 November 2008 at 08:00 PM
How long before Indians get the same treatment they gave white people in 1947? Was it not Ghandi who said India for India and Mohammad Jinna who said Muslims are as different as Hinus as the sun is to the moon and therefore should have a separate state?
In which case how different are Anglo Saxons and Anglo Celts? Do they not equally deserve a nation for themselves too? or is that only the prerogative of bullying ex British Indians/Africans. Then of course there was Africa for African and pushed out the whites?
So why can not white people have their share of equality? Certainly the Celts have never had it. But your agenda is to wipe out the white people of the UK isn't it?
The hypocracy of you people is apalling. You are only interested in domination. While your own people back in your former countries where you ethnically dominate still seek educated doctors and nurses and teachers.
Was'nt that the reason your parents originally came to the UK to gain that education in the modern world to return to help your own ethnic groups in those departments? Instead you argue over who can dominate.
What are white people suposed to keel over and die just so you can churtle about ruling the world.
But of course too much comptetion for the top job in large countries when you can pull out the race card at every juncture. As if it a nice neat mathematical equation of so many people of this colour then there should be so many jobs done by xx.
What about the whites in England who want England for English people etc the same as India wanted and got India for Indians. So when will India have a red headed Prime Minster or Muslim world have a christain person of Scottish extraction ruling them.
I loath the racism and hypocracy and bullying of you people while you own ethnic homeland need skills indicates just what bullies and self promoting dominating thugs you really are.
I visted my homeland and was appalled the way I was treated and threatened.
Why can white people not have a land of their own too? Just like you have in Indiasn Pakistan, and the other 33 nations of the Muslims world and the 52 nations of Africa.
When will our rulers wake up to your bullying tactics. Get the world improved you have plenty of places to dominate all ready.And if your nations are not doing well for all the people whose fault is that oh dont tell me its the white man again!!!
Posted by: Heather McIlwian | Tuesday, 09 December 2008 at 11:07 AM
There are no niggers in Britain. Obama cant be in GB.
Posted by: celebrity movie archive | Thursday, 10 December 2009 at 03:28 PM