British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Brexit was a “massive economic opportunity” and pledged to step up negotiations on post-Brexit trade deals and set up free ports to boost the economy.

“When people voted to leave the European Union, they were not just voting against Brussels, they were voting against London too,” he said in a speech in Manchester.

The former Mayor of London added that under his predecessor, Theresa May, Brexit was seen as “an impending adverse weather event,” AFP reported.

Johnson promised to give more powers to local communities, as well as boost broadband and transportation infrastructure.

“Taking back control doesn’t just apply to Westminster regaining sovereignty from the EU, it means our cities and counties and towns becoming more self-governing,” he said.

“Leaving the EU is a massive economic opportunity to do things we’ve not been allowed to do for decades,” he said.