Defying Cameron, London's mayor to campaign for British exit from EU
London Mayor Boris Johnson threw his weight on February 21 behind the campaign to leave the European Union, dealing a blow to David Cameron by increasing the chance British voters will ditch membership in a June referendum.
In a move that electrified the referendum campaign by pitting one of Britain's most charismatic politicians against the prime minister, Johnson said Cameron had failed to deliver fundamental reform with an EU deal struck on February 19.
Johnson, a political showman whose buffoonish and eccentric exterior is thought to mask a fierce ambition to succeed Cameron, said he loved European culture, civilization and food but that the European project was in danger of getting out of democratic control.
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Betting odds of a British exit rose to a 33% chance from about 29%, according to bookmakers.
Johnson dismissed questions from reporters about whether joining the campaign to leave the EU was the first step toward a bid to succeed Cameron. On the contrary, he said with a smile, Cameron should stay no matter who won the June 23 referendum.
