Obama’s UK visit amid Brexit cloud

US President Barack Obama’s last presidential visit to the UK will be in the eye of storm as he plans to make a strong case against Brexit amid criticism from supporters of the ‘leave EU’ campaign. His visit comes ahead of the June 23 referendum when Britons will be asked if they want to remain in the 28-member EU.
Obama will take a cautious approach when backing the UK stay in the European Union, while empahsising that the decision is up to Britons. Yet, his declared support for the ‘strong UK in a strong EU’ is unwelcome by the eurosceptics. His stance is dictated by the fact that Britain’s departure from the EU could have deep ramifications for Washington’s relationship with UK, and on the stability of the European Union itself.
The Brexit is being taken seriously in the US given special relations and cultural affinities between the two countries. Hence, the US officials see Britain’s departure would deprive the United States of a key ally in Europe.
In this context, eight former US Treasury secretaries warned in a joint letter to The Times newspaper on Wednesday that Brexit would be a “risky bet”.
The UK is sharply divided about the issue. Polls put the pro-EU and Brexit camps neck-and-neck among those who express a preference to vote, although there is a large pool of people who remain undecided.
This division will be highlighted by the visit of Obama to London. Pro-Brexit popular London mayor Boris Johnson accused Obama of “outrageous and exorbitant hypocrisy” for his comments in favour of staying in the EU. “I just think it’s paradoxical that the United States, which wouldn’t dream of allowing the slightest infringement on its own sovereignty, should be lecturing other countries,” Johnson said.
Irritated by the US President’s position against the Brexit, over 100 members of Britain’s parliament have reportedly written to the American ambassador in London to make their displeasure known.
Obama is seen by the exit campaign as a meddling outsider. But this is not the case for the US officials who strongly feel Brexit could be damaging. The US has a vital interest in the European project, just as it does in Japan’s future, and the prosperity of Southeast Asia.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is expected to make a strong case too in favour of the ‘stay’ campaign. He believes that the UK’s ties with the US would be weakened if voters opt to leave the European Union.
Britain’s ability to influence policies on trade, climate change, intelligence sharing and counter-terrorism is enhanced by membership of the EU.
British Prime Minister David Cameron hopes Obama’s intervention can sway British voters, especially ambivalent young voters who would be decisive in the vote if convinced to vote. More importantly, Cameron has also got the backing of businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, which oppose Brexit by huge margins, according to a survey by BritishAmerican Business, a trade group.
It is to be seen whether Obama’s stand would help the ‘stay’ campaign. Ahead of Scotland’s 2014 referendum on independence, Obama expressed the hope that that UK would remain “strong, robust and united”. Scottish voters agreed with him, opting to stay linked to Cameron’s UK.
No issue has united the official US circles more than the UK ‘stay’ in the European Union. The issue gets strong bipartisan support in Washington for London remaining in the Brussels club. The Brexit would deprive the US of a critical voice in shaping not only EU policy, but the future of Europe.