US President Barack Obama has arrived in Britain, where he has already entered into the debate about whether Britain should leave the EU.
Obama said the bloc magnified British influence rather than diminished it.
On the agenda was a meeting with Queen Elizabeth II just after her 90th birthday celebrations, as well as talks with British PM David Cameron ahead of the June 23 Brexit referendum on whether Britain should leave the EU, AFP reported.
Even before arriving, Obama entered the toxic debate on Britain’s EU status, making an appeal in the largely euroskeptic, rightwing “Daily Telegraph” newspaper.
“The European Union doesn’t moderate British influence, it magnifies it. A strong Europe is not a threat to Britain’s global leadership; it enhances Britain’s global leadership,” Obama wrote in the article, apparently addressed to British voters.
“The United States sees how your powerful voice in Europe ensures that Europe takes a strong stance in the world, and keeps the EU open, outward looking, and closely linked to its allies on the other side of the Atlantic.
Pro-Brexit campaigners have called on Obama to stay out of the referendum debate, saying it is a matter for the British people to decide. However, Obama said the common histories and interests of Britain and the United States meant that he felt compelled to comment.
“I will say, with the candor of a friend, that the outcome of your decision is a matter of deep interest to the United States,” Obama wrote.
Two opinion polls published on Wednesday appeared to show the pro-EU “Remain” campaign had gained momentum ahead of the referendum. An Ipsos MORI telephone opinion poll showed that the Remain camp, supported by Cameron, had a 10% lead on those who planned to vote for a Brexit.
A TNS poll the same day also showed a widening gap, putting the Remain campaign on 38% compared with 34% in favor of the Brexit.
