Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/obamas-win-stirs-cautious-optimism-in-britain Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript President-elect Barack Obama's election victory has prompted both excitement and reflection among Britons. Margaret Warner reports on the impact of Mr. Obama's win on Britain's relationship with the U.S. and on British expectations for Mr. Obama's leadership. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. MARGARET WARNER: The prospect of Barack Obama as the next American president seems to have captivated Britons from all walks of life, from shopkeeper Elizabeth Rogers…ELIZABETH ROGERS, Bond Street Print and Gifts: From day one, when he came over to England, I was drawn to him. And I think he's a lovely chap. MARGARET WARNER: … to high school student Abdul Hamied. ABDUL HAMIED, Student: To come from such a poor background and to become one of the most powerful people in the world, it gives us hope for everybody. MARGARET WARNER: Just as in the states, the president-elect's youth and multicultural roots have lit a spark. Lavilla Graham was out with her 4-year-old son Amal one Saturday morning. LAVILLA GRAHAM: I feel that's a really good thing. Having a mixed-race child, as well, I think it's a good inspiration for him. So I think it's good for him. MARGARET WARNER: A good inspiration for your boy? LAVILLA GRAHAM: Yes, definitely. MARGARET WARNER: Obama's victory has prompted some soul-searching among the British about their own racial divide, says House of Commons M.P. Vincent Cable.VINCENT CABLE, Member of Parliament, Liberal Democrat: I brought up a multi-racial family, and I've seen in my lifetime the position has gradually improved in the U.K. But we know there is a lot of prejudice. And to have the most powerful country in the world electing a black president is a very, very powerful signal, not just to Americans, but to the rest of us. MARGARET WARNER: Only 15 of Parliament's 646 members are of minority heritage, yet London cab driver Paul Cakebread thinks it won't be long before Britain produces an Obama of its own. PAUL CAKEBREAD, Cab Driver: I think we're going to see a few people with color coming through, going for prime minister and stuff like that now, yes, definitely, definitely. MARGARET WARNER: You think because of Obama? PAUL CAKEBREAD: Yes, definitely. Now it's happened out in America now. I think it's probably quite a good thing, really. MARGARET WARNER: But the world looks different from one of London's multi-ethnic neighborhoods, Brixton. LAVILLA GRAHAM: Maybe in my son's lifetime, but not in my lifetime, no. I don't think so. MARGARET WARNER: Why won't it happen in your lifetime? LAVILLA GRAHAM: It's a different type of like system, political system. It's not easy for black people, mixed-race people, Asian people, you know, ethnic people to make it in this country politically.