Obama calls on UK to remain in EU

US President Barack Obama arrived in London on Friday with an impassioned plea for the UK to remain inside the European Union.

The president is in London for talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron. His comments came as Britons prepared to vote on an “in/out” referendum over membership of the EU on June 23.

Obama said the partnership between the US, UK and EU forged out of the devastation of World War 2 had helped to turn “centuries of war in Europe into decades of peace, and worked as one to make this world a safer, better place”.

“As citizens of the United Kingdom take stock of their relationship with the EU, you should be proud that the EU has helped spread British values and practices – democracy, the rule of law, open markets – across the continent and to its periphery,” he wrote in an article in the Eurosceptic Daily Telegraph newspaper.

He acknowledged that there was a “spirited campaign” taking place in the UK on the issue in the same way there was heated debate in the US as candidates battled for the nomination to contest November's presidential election.

“My country is going through much the same. And 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,” Obama wrote.

Obama's remarks will cheer a “Remain” campaign facing accusations that it has lacked passion and a positive message.

However, “Leave” supporters have been apoplectic at such a heavweight intervention. They argue that Obama has no place commenting on a British matter, adding that he would never allow any US powers to be ceded to an outside organisation like the EU.

However, Obama argued that the EU “moderate British influence – it magnifies it”.

“A strong Europe is not a threat to Britain’s global leadership; it enhances Britain’s global leadership.”

“The United States sees how your powerful voice in Europe ensures that Europe takes a strong stance in the world, and keeps the EU open, outward looking, and closely linked to its allies on the other side of the Atlantic. So the US and the world need your outsized influence to continue – including within Europe.”