LOCAL businesses have been urged to press vote-hungry politicians for delivery of the Northern Powerhouse advocated by Chancellor George Osborne as well as other regional support.

John Longworth, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said the current interest in ‘all things northern’ being shown by London centric ministers and other senior politicians provided business groups with the leverage to win commitments on infrastructure and other improvements to boost the local and regional economy.

Speaking at the Bradford Chamber of Commerce annual dinner, he told the 400 guests that there had never been a better time to press for initiatives such as the Northern Powerhouse plan which advocated a new ‘HS3’ east-west high speed rail link along with better roads and other infrastructure improvements “There are a lot of votes to be won along the M62 corridor and with the outcome of the next general election more uncertain than ever, now is the time to get something from our political masters as they show a renewed interest in the North.

“They are is listening mode and business now has more leverage than for a long time to get their messages across,” he said.

Mr Longworth, a former Asda executive, also said the unlikely event of a Uk withdrawal from the EU would not be disastrous for business.

Although the majority of chamber of commerce members supported staying in a reformed EU, Britain leaving would still mean ‘business as usual’ - and could offer some benefits such as a lower pound which would help exporters and possibly lower inflation.

“By and large business does not want closer integration within the EU, does not want to join the Eurozone and favours renegotiation of some of the terms of membership. If, however unlikely, it did come to the UK pulling out this would not be a disaster.

“ The EU is not going tom put up trade barriers against the Uk as it sells more to use than we do to them. Also international trade deals ore signed by individual member states and the UK would continue to benefit from those.

“My message to business is to plan for the long-term, whatever happens. Plans should be made, not on the basis of what the pundits are telling us but on what is best for companies."

“.There are so many uncertainties facing us, including the ebola crisis, the situation in Ukraine and the Japanese recession which may or may not impact business.

“Uncertainty has become the new norm and businesses need to plan and operate in that environment ,” said Mr Longworth.