`Institutional racism` would prevent a British Obama: watchdog

London, Nov 8 (PTI) Barack Obama would never become the prime minister of Britain because of 'institutional racism', U.K.'s equality watchdog chief has said, condemning the glass ceilings in the political set up of the country.

Despite the U.S. President-elect's brilliance, the political system in Britain would prevent an ethnic minority candidate getting to the top, said Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission.

He said there was an "institutional resistance" to selecting black and Asian candidates. "The parties and unions and think-tanks are all very happy to sign up to the general idea of advancing the cause of minorities but in practice they would like somebody else to do the business. It’s institutional racism," Phillips told The Times newspaper.

"If Barack Obama had lived here I would be very
surprised if even somebody as brilliant as him would have been
able to break through the institutional stranglehold that
there is on power within the Labour Party," Phillips told the
British daily in an interview.

Parmjit Dhanda, an ethnic Indian origin Labour
parliamentarian from Gloucester, supported the view of the
existence of glass ceilings in the British political system.

"There are very many glass ceilings for black
politicians in this country. I’ve found it tough and I know
plenty of others who have as well," said Dhanda, one of only
15 non-white M.P.s in the country.

Phillips views were supported by Adam Afriyie,
Conservative M.P. for Windsor, who said he did not forsee a
black premier in Britain in his lifetime.

"I do not believe we will see a black prime minister
in my lifetime. In the U.S. a fresh face like Obama can make
it in one electoral cycle," he said.

"It’s quite right that just as we are feeling all cosy
about Obama he gives the system a good kicking. It needs it,"
said another M.P. on condition of anonymity. PTI