Obama wades into British debate over EU exit, angering 'Brexit' proponents

(Image credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

President Obama has a full schedule in Britain on Friday, including lunch with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle, meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron, and dining with Prince William, Duchess Kate, and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace. But before he even landed in Britain late Thursday, he had already caused a stir. Britain is in the middle of a spirited debate over a coming referendum on whether to withdraw the UK from the EU ("Brexit"), and Obama let his opinion be known in an op-ed for The Daily Telegraph.

"I realize that there's been considerable speculation — and some controversy — about the timing of my visit," he began. "And I confess: I do want to wish Her Majesty a happy birthday in person." But then he weighed in on the June 23 referendum, arguing for Britain to stay. Most of the article is dedicated to the "special relationship" between the U.S. and Britain, and the challenges they need to face together, but while Obama acknowledged that "ultimately, the question of whether or not the UK remains a part of the EU is a matter for British voters to decide for yourselves," he also argues that "the U.S. and the world need your outsized influence to continue — including within Europe."

Cameron is in favor of staying in the EU, but Euroskeptic lawmakers, including London Mayor Boris Johnson, accused Obama of meddling in British affairs. Johnson said Obama had exhibited "outrageous and exorbitant hypocrisy," then suggested that Obama might have personal antipathy for Britain, falsely recalling that Obama had removed a bust of Winston Churchill from the White House and noting that "some said it was a symbol of the part-Kenyan President's ancestral dislike of the British empire." British lawmakers opposing Brexit welcomed Obama's comments, noting that Russia's Vladimir Putin says Britain should leave the EU. Obama next heads to Germany for the third and final leg of his trip.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.