BRITAIN’S EU retreat won’t affect North-East companies’ trade but it will give Westminster a much-needed wake-up call, a County Durham manufacturing boss has claimed.

John Elliott says a Brexit will liberate the UK from European shackles, giving the country power to make its own decisions.

He also dismissed fears firms will struggle with higher selling tariffs, adding Britain will be remembered as the country that saved the EU from itself.

Mr Elliott, founder and chairman of Newton Aycliffe-based watercooler maker Ebac, added he hopes the referendum will prove a catalyst for ministers to take action on UK industrial strategy.

He said too many MPs have rested on their laurels and welcomed foreign investment into the country, rather than provided fertile ground for British companies’ growth.

Mr Elliott, who will oversee the official start of Ebac’s move into washing machine manufacturing later this year, told The Northern Echo: “I’m absolutely delighted because we can now make better decisions.

“There’s only one objective of the EU and that is to become a super state.

“But nations do not like to be together and it’s a bad idea; it’s a politicians’ dream but it’s civilians that pay for it.

“However, the big problem is not the EU, its Westminster.

“We do not have an industrial strategy and we only get half the benefits.

“We should make it easier for British companies to invest in the UK.”

Mr Elliott, who was at the forefront of regional Brexit campaigns and previously led the fight against a North-East Regional Assembly, said companies can flourish without the EU, rejecting assertions they may struggle with higher tariffs.

He added: “Unless the EU plays dirty tricks, it will be a smooth transition and it will start to get better.

“The French buy our watercoolers because they are good, why would they not do that?

“We exports goods to the US and pay the tariffs; those tariffs are not a deal breaker.

“We sell to customers not countries and the Channel Tunnel will not close, we will trade as normal.

“We can continue as it is and in the meantime we will be free to set up other agreements with people.

“It might take a long time, but this is a long-term decision.”