John McCain: Britain’s EU Membership ‘Vital’ For US Security

Senator John McCain has warned that Britain’s membership of the European Union is “vital” to U.S. security.

The former presidential hopeful and chairman of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee reckons the looming threat of a so-called “Brexit” will hurt the global economy and weaken the West, but he fell short Thursday of telling UK citizens how to vote in the country’s upcoming EU referendum.

In order to appease a growing number of eurosceptics, the UK government has agreed to stage a vote on the country’s EU membership on June 23 despite upholding the official view that Britain is better off within Europe.

Prime Minister David Cameron is already campaigning ardently in support of the country’s EU membership, but it appears to be fighting an uphill battle. His political party faces a stark divide over the issue, and multiple cabinet ministers have already spoken out in order to undermine Cameron’s position.

Yet, according to Senator John McCain, British MPs would do well to consider the numerous benefits of EU membership.

“The need for a strong and united Europe is greater than ever. The United States has long benefitted from British leadership in NATO and the EU – for instance, leading sanctions against Russia, providing vital support to Afghanistan and Ukraine, and grappling with the refugee crisis fueled by Vladimir Putin,” he said after a meeting with the Commons defense committee on Thursday.

“The United States and the United Kingdom are confronting the most diverse and complex array of crises since the end of World War II. To meet these challenges, we need a comprehensive response that makes the best use of our collective economic, political, and military power.”

McCain even went so far as to insinuate that Russia would be the sole benefactor of a potential Brexit.

“Whatever the outcome of the referendum on EU membership, it will send a strong message to Vladimir Putin,” he said.

David Cameron welcomed McCain’s harsh words on Friday morning and labelled the statement an “important intervention” in the fight to safeguard Britain’s EU membership.

Important intervention by @SenJohnMcCain – UK membership of EU vital for security & prosperity of both Europe & U.S. https://t.co/0kzMz4zNWm

— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 18, 2016

Yet, despite McCain’s clear position on the issue, the senator did fall short of telling the British public how to vote when the country goes to the polls in June.

“This is a decision for the British people,” he said. “But one with profound implications for our common security and our shared values.”

McCain is hardly the first American politician to speak out against a potential Brexit. President Barack Obama has already made his position on the matter clear.

Last summer, he told BBC reporters that Britain’s membership bolstered global trade, adding that the EU as a whole “made the world safer and more prosperous.”

“Having the UK in the European Union gives us much greater confidence about the strength of the transatlantic union,” he said.

President Obama is also expected to use a visit to London next month in order to urge voters to stick with Europe.

That being said, some MPs are not terribly keen on the President’s message.

Earlier this week, British politicians from all sides of the political spectrum joined forces to pen a letter to Obama, urging him to keep his nose out of the country’s impending referendum.

“This is a chance for the British people to choose the path of their country,” the letter said. “Interfering in our debate over national sovereignty would be an unfortunate milestone at the end of your term as president.”

[Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images]