Obama Notes Tea Party Fracas in Speech to Brits

President Barack Obama, having had a few run-ins with tea partyers who challenge his own policies, alluded to similarly historic dustups between the United States and England in his speech to the British Parliament at London’s Westminster Hall Wednesday.

Boston Tea Party. (Getty Images)

Acknowledging the upstart colonies’ Boston Tea Party rebellion against Britain lo those many years ago, noted that U.S.-British ties “got off on the wrong foot with a small scrape about tea and taxes. There may also have been some hurt feelings when the White House was set on fire during the War of 1812. But fortunately, it's been smooth sailing ever since."

It was the first time a U.S. president has spoken at the 11th-century building that houses Parliament.

Obama and first lady Michelle are on a European tour that also included a visit to Ireland and will include appearances in France and Poland.