Obama encourages British citizens to vote against 'Brexit'

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 01: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) talks to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron (R) during a scenario-based policy discussion of the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit April 1, 2016 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama is hosting the fourth and final in a series of summits to highlight accomplishments and make new commitments towards reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Credit: Alex Wong

Credit: Alex Wong

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 01: U.S. President Barack Obama (L) talks to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron (R) during a scenario-based policy discussion of the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit April 1, 2016 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama is hosting the fourth and final in a series of summits to highlight accomplishments and make new commitments towards reducing the threat of nuclear terrorism. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)


President Barack Obama is siding with Prime Minister David Cameron in advocating for Britain to stay in the European Union, but both leaders want voters to decide.

Obama wrote in an op-ed in The Telegraph published Friday, "The European Union doesn't moderate British influence -- it magnifies it. A strong Europe is not a threat to Britain's global leadership; it enhances Britain's global leadership."

On June 23, British voters will decide whether or not to remain in the EU, an ongoing debate known as "Brexit."

And with that date looming, Cameron has a small handful of parliament members against him.

Shortly after Obama's op-ed was published, Cameron tweeted, "The US is one of our closest allies. So it's important to hear Barack Obama on why we should remain in the EU."

Obama arrived in London Thursday night for a three-day visit. But his visit wasn't solely inspired by the Brexit campaigns — he also wanted to wish the queen a happy birthday.