Reactions to President Obama Speaking to Urge Brits to vote to stay in the EU?

[Rainbunny]

Just curious to see if I'm the only person who thinks this will surely backfire?

My reasons are as follows:

• The Americans have made statements on the EU that make it clear that they want the UK to stay in as it helps American interests in the EU. That makes it clear that the American government view the Brits as basically puppets who they influence in their own interests. That puts my back up immediately and since this is a very emotional issue with British sovereignty at stake voting to please American interests is the opposite of what this should about.

• President Obama has mixed popularity in the UK I think. He has shown disdain towards the UK for years. In his first year in office he specifically said that the USA does NOT have a special relationship with the UK. Over the years there have been various snubs towards the UK, visiting British Prime Ministers have been snubbed at the White House (things like joint press conferences, state dinners etc.. that are usually accorded to visiting dignitaries didn't happen for Gordon Brown when he visited.) Obama expressed support for Argentina on the Falkland Island issue despite the actual Islanders overwhelming desire to stay a part of the UK... Basically a man who has made it clear he dislikes the UK and what it represents is the last person to tell us how we should vote and any positive comments he may make about the UK now will smack of hypocrisy to me!

• The irony of the leader of a country that fought a war to successfully declare independence from foreign control wants to urge us to stay in the Eu to be subject to foreign control.

It's very one-sided Mistigri. I can't see the same happening in reverse.

World leaders routinely visit other world leaders to promote their countrys' interests.

In the past American diplomatic visits tended to be more focused on the UK's relationship with Ireland than with the EU. Did you have a problem with that?

I wish Obama'd keep the hell out of it actually. Can't stand the man

World leaders routinely visit other world leaders to promote their countrys' interests.

Any examples of UK politicians visiting the USA to try to influence an upcoming vote in the states? Do you think we'll be receiving a return invitation for this purpose any time soon?

As long as Cameron urges US citizens not to vote for Trump.

Actually, I think it's unwarranted interefernce and shouldn't be encouraged. We know his position, but he should otherwise butt out.

Rock I think there will be a number of world leaders prepared to speak up about Trump.

While I don't think that other countries should "tell the citizens of other countries how to vote", there is certainly a role for leaders to discuss the consequences particularly in the foreign policy area. The Mexican president has already made public statements about Trump, and you'd expect Canada, Mexico and probably other trade blocs too to get involved in the event of a threat to dissolve NAFTA.

It would be wrong for Obama to get involved in arguments about whether brexit would increase sovereignty. But discussing the consequences on trade and diplomatic relations is reasonable, no?

I think we probably both agree that (a) a brexit is possible and that (b) in the event that Britain also leaves the EEA, the negotiation of new relationships with major trading partners will be essential. Why not welcome the opportunity to learn about how the US might see a future relationship, and improve the potential for positive future diplomatic relations? It doesn't help the brexit case when the leave camp seem determined to slag off what might become the UK's single most important trade ally in the event that we leave the EU.