BARACK Obama has said Britain would go to the ‘back of the queue’ for trade
deals with the USA if it votes to leave the EU.
And he said Americans ‘want Britain’s influence to grow’ by staying in the EU.
Speaking at a press conference at the Foreign Office, the President of the USA
spoke about the issue of the EU referendum.
He said: “Let me be clear, this is an issue that British voters have to
decide for themselves but, as part of our special relationship, part of
being friends, is to be honest and let you know what I think.
“Speaking honestly, the outcome of that decision is a matter of deep
interest to the United States because it affects our prospects as well.
“The United Kingdom is at its best when it is helping to lead a strong
Europe. It leverages UK power to be part of the European Union.
“The EU has helped to spread British values and practices across the
continent. The single market brings extraordinary economic benefits to the
United Kingdom.
And he said it was best for America: “We’re more prosperous when one of
our best friends and closest allies has a strong, stable economy.”
David Cameron said the US-UK relationship ‘has never been so important’.
Obama was given a red carpet welcome as he arrived in Downing Street this
afternoon just hours after he infuriated Out campaigners by urging Brits to
stay in the EU.
As he arrived at No 10 in his armoured car, nicknamed The Beast, he was met by
the Prime Minister and they posed on the steps for photos before going
inside.
Their meeting comes after the President and his wife enjoyed a belated
birthday lunch in Windsor with the Queen and Prince Philip the storm about
his comments raged around him.
The US President said he believes the EU made Britain even greater – and the
war on terror would suffer if we leave.
The President’s Marine One helicopter landed in the grounds at Windsor Castle
just before 1pm where he was met by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
Aged 94, the Duke got behind the wheel of the Range Rover to make the short
drive up to the castle.
Mr Obama’s incendiary comments about Brexit came at the start of a two-day
visit slammed by Out campaigners.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph Mr Obama said Britain and the US’ special
relationship was “forged as we spilled blood together on the battlefield”.
He added: “I will say with the candour of a friend that the outcome of your
decision is a matter of deep interest to the United States.
“The tens of thousands of Americans who rest in Europe’s cemeteries are a
silent testament to just how intertwined our prosperity and security truly
are.
“And the path you choose now will echo in the prospects of today’s generation
of Americans as well.”
Despite a wave of criticism of the EU across Britain, the President insisted
the EU had helped spread British values and “magnified” British influence.
In words that will delight Downing Street, he insisted the fight against IS
meant it was time for “friends and allies to stick together”.
And he added: “A strong Europe is not a threat to Britain’s global leadership;
it enhances Britain’s global leadership.”
The President will repeat the message at a press conference with David Cameron
later today after his lunch with the Queen to mark her 90th birthday.
READ MORE:
Definitely not in favour of Obama’s intervention in the EU referendum debate
was Ukip leader Nigel Farage.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World at One programme today he said: “I think
Obama, because of his grandfather, and Kenya and colonialisation . . . bears
a bit of a grudge against this country.”
And, writing in The Spectator, Tim Montgomerie said pro-EU politicians don’t
understand the resentment Obama can cause.
Obama’s Brexit overreach is typical of his arrogance, says Tim Montgomerie
— The Spectator (@spectator)
Just hours earlier Defence Secretary Michael Fallon had enraged Out
campaigners by saying the only people cheering a Brexit would be those in
Moscow or IS stronghold Raqqa.
Former Cabinet Minister Iain Duncan Smith last night accused the US of rank
hypocrisy. He said President Obama would never accept free movement from
Mexico or Canada or a loss of sovereignty.
He blasted: “What I do find strange is that he is asking the British people to
accept a situation that he patently would not recommend to the American
population.”
Speaking before Mr Obama’s arrival, David Cameron defended his right to
intervene in the EU row.
Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol, the PM said: “I will say to Barack, It’s a
matter for the British people, no one is going to tell us what to do, we are
going to make the decision on our own.
“But I do think it’s good to listen to your allies and friends and America,
who work with us closely, who lost a lot of people in the First and Second
World Wars fighting alongside the British, as often do.
“I think he is perfectly entitled to say ‘as a friend of Britain, I’m not
going to tell you what to do, I’m just going to tell you what to think’.”
A poll of Sky customers by Sky Data found a majority of voters thought Obama
should not intervene in the EU referendum campaign.
And in a separate poll a quarter of the people surveyed said Obama’s view
would make them more likely to vote Remain, but 57 per cent said it would
make no difference.
BREAK – Snap poll:
Should Obama intervene in ?
60% Should not
29% Should
10% Don’t know— Sky Data (@SkyData)
New poll:
Will Obama make you more or less likely to vote Remain in ?
25% More
17% Less
57% No difference— Sky Data (@SkyData)