Obama expected to intervene in UK EU referendum debate

[04alsabi]

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/apr/14/barack-obama-brexit-eu-referendum-uk-visit

This is unlikely to affect the result either way, but it's certainly appreciated by this Remain supporter (and the indignation of Eurosceptics over the past several days has also been fun to watch). Hardly a campaign issue in the US, but I have seen Trump suggest that the UK might be better off out when asked.

Barack Obama will strike a delicate balance over Brexit during a visit to the UK next week, where he will host a town hall with youth and offer his view “as a friend” that Britain should remain in the EU.

White House officials suggested on Thursday that the president will only wade into the contentious debate if asked, and reiterated Obama’s position that the US supports “a strong UK in the European Union”.

“He will make very clear that this is a matter the British people should decide when they head to the polls in June,” Ben Rhodes, the White House deputy national security adviser, said in a conference call with reporters.

“We believe that all of us benefit when the EU can speak with a strong and a single voice and can work with us to advance our shared interests whether on security or prosperity,” he added. “We believe that the UK has benefited from the single market that is good for the British economy and that, in turn, is good for the United States economy.”

[underahedgerow]

1. I like it. I see him in a future role as a global moderator and a true

voice of reason. He has a brilliant, exceptional ability to remain impartial and unbiased, and to clearly see issues in a global perspective, while considering deeply personal and relative issues.

Cool. The man has a lot to offer this planet. I'm looking forward to it, once he is no longer constrained by his role in the White House.

[PaulaFarrell]

3. he should stay out of it

It won't go down well, might even be counter-productive

[pampango]

2. "UKIP leader Nigel Farage has gone further, describing Mr Obama as "the most anti-British president"

of the modern era."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36087583

And the British far-right is heard from.