President Obama urged Britain to remain part of the European Union during a meeting Saturday with British Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn.
“The two leaders discussed the impact of globalization on labor and working people, and the need to take steps to reduce inequality around the world,” the White House said in a readout of the meeting. “They agreed that the U.K. should remain a member of the E.U.”
Obama laid out his case for the United Kingdom staying in the union in an op-ed published Saturday in the Telegraph, a leading British paper.
“The European Union doesn’t moderate British influence — it magnifies it,” Obama said. “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.”
Obama’s intervention in British politics against the so-called “Brexit” has caused backlash and some condemnation by British lawmakers who support leaving the EU. The president acknowledged that reaction, but said he speaks “with the candour of a friend.”
The United Kingdom will vote in late June on whether to sever ties with the EU, the political and economic alliance of 28 European countries. Many British lawmakers want the country to split off. Obama has repeatedly argued that the U.S. ally should stay in the European Union.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, who Obama joined for golf later Saturday, agrees with this stance.
During their meeting, Obama also congratulated Corbyn on his election as head of the Labor Party, according to the White House pool report. The two talked about economic inequality and agreed that the two nations must work to reduce global inequalities.
The visit, which took place at the Royal Horticultural Halls, was a part of a trip during which Obama will visit Britain, Saudi Arabia and Germany this week.
Obama on Saturday also visited Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.
Following the Corbyn meeting, over 550 people gathered to watch Obama leave the Horticultural Halls. The president’s motorcade headed north through what a pool report called chilly British fog before arriving in Hertfordshire.
During the one hour drive Obama passed by Hyde Park and Abbey Road.
Obama joined Cameron for golf at a club called The Grove in Watford, a London suburb later Saturday.
According to a pool report, media looked on while Obama and Cameron both missed putts.
The president’s shorter putt “looked to be on line as it zipped across the green,” but “rolled around the hole and right back out,” the report said.
“Oh,” Obama and Cameron exclaimed in unison.
“Did you see that?” Obama yelled to the pool. “Robbed.”
