An American ambassador has no formal power to stop legislation passing through the British Parliament. Diplomatic influence would depend on persuasion. The political argument offered here is that warnings from foreign politicians can backfire by increasing British support for the policy they oppose. The EU referendum is cited as an example, with the recollection that British Remain politicians urged European counterparts to stay away from the campaign. That recollection illustrates the argument about political backlash; it is not offered as a measured account of the referendum result.
Notable Point · 16:16-17:05
Foreign diplomatic pressure and British political backlash
The EU referendum aside distinguishes diplomatic persuasion from parliamentary authority and argues that foreign interventions can provoke a political backlash.