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London Mayor Boris Johnson Calls Obama ‘Ridiculous And Weird’ For Telling UK To Do Something America Would Never Do

Published on: April 24, 2016 at 12:46 AM
By Tara West

The London Mayor, Boris Johnson, had harsh words following President Barack Obama’s visit to the United Kingdom. Johnson called Obama “ridiculous and weird” for getting involved in U.K. affairs. He notes that Obama is telling the U.K. to do something that America would never dream of doing which he finds highly suspect. The issue is surrounding Obama’s statements that Anglo-U.S. trade would be hit by the U.K.’s exit from the E.U., sending the U.K. to “the back of the queue” in trade deals, which Johnson says is simply untrue.

The Daily Mail reports that London Mayor Boris Johnson is doubling down on his criticisms of President Barack Obama by noting he stands by his statements that the president’s reasoning for the U.K. to remain in the E.U. was hypocritical. President Barack Obama visited the United Kingdom for Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday celebration. While in attendance, Obama spent a significant amount of time with U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron, a move many “Leave” supporters say was strategic.

“‘Leave’ campaigners claimed the President’s comment that the UK would be at ‘the back of the queue’ for negotiating a trade deal with the US was part of a ‘stunt’ orchestrated by Mr Cameron in return for helping Obama obtain a prominent role in the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations. “

Cameron is a vocal “Remain” supporter advocating for the United Kingdom to remain members of the European Union. Conversely, London Mayor Boris Johnson is a vocal “Leave” supporter noting that the U.K. would be better off without giving up sovereignty to the group. The referendum is set to take place on June 23, with voters taking to the polls to determine if the U.K. will remain E.U. members or step out on their own. Cameron notes that while he hopes voters will choose to remain in a “reformed Europe,” he says that he will do his best to deliver whatever the people want.

“I am the first to say there are many ways the EU needs to improve. The task of reforming Europe does not end with yesterday’s agreement. I will never say our country could not survive outside Europe … That is not the question. The question is will we be safer, stronger and better off working together in a reformed Europe or out on our own. You will decide and whatever your decision I will do my best to deliver it.”

Though the people will ultimately decide the fate of the U.K.’s involvement in the E.U., Cameron seemingly called in backup as President Obama warned of the problems associated with the U.K. choosing to leave the E.U. Obama noted that the U.K. would move to “back of the queue” for a free trade deal if they made the decision to exit. However, Johnson called the statement “ridiculous and weird” considering Obama would be asking the U.K. to do something that America would never dream of doing.

“Barack Obama is entitled to his view… but it is ridiculous to warn that the UK will be at the back of the queue for a free trade deal. It is very weird that the US should be telling the UK to do something they would not dream of doing themselves.”

Johnson then went on to call Obama a hypocrite, noting it is “inconsistent, perverse and yes, hypocritical” to coach the U.K. to give up its sovereignty when the U.S. would do no such thing.

What do you think about London Mayor Boris Johnson’s assertion that Obama is a hypocrite for telling the U.K. to remain under the E.U. umbrella?

[Photo by Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Images]

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