Black Britons should be inspired by Obama becoming president of the USA

Britain is ready for a political breakthrough which will see black people running for office "at every level", US civil rights campaigner the Rev Jesse Jackson said.

He told Cambridge University students that black Britons should be inspired by Barack Obama becoming president of the USA.

"People should take inspiration from Barack's victory,” he said, adding that “There is something about freedom that is contagious."

Rev Jackson, who twice tried to become America's first black president, said "Britain's ready for a breakthrough.”

He went on to say that “That breakthrough means that black Britons will run for every office at every level and realise that their votes can make the difference.”

Rev Jackson who said he could not predict when Britain would elect a black prime minister, said: "You've already had a woman prime minister. What is there about 10 Downing Street that a black man or woman could not do?"

He told the Cambridge Union, the university's debating society: "As the black and ethnic minority population grows, so too will their voting and political power and their demand for equality and a level playing field.

"Taken together this vote, as it has in the US, can determine the margin of victory in the UK's upcoming elections.

"Britain's new leaders, the emerging leaders of your generation, are challenged to move away from living in isolation.

"They are asked to commit to forging a multi-cultural, multi-racial inclusive society - a one big-tent Britain and a one big-tent Europe."

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