THE founder of the Wetherspoon chain came to Bournemouth in a bid to start a national pub conversation about the EU.

Tim Martin, chairman of JD Wetherspoon PLC, is one of the most high-profile business people backing the Vote Leave campaign.

He made an unannounced visit to the Moon in the Square in Bournemouth, as he began a whistle stop tour of around 100 towns to talk about the EU.

In a supplement for the chain’s Wetherspoon News magazine, he lays out his own argument for Brexit but also publishes the views of ‘remain’ campaigners including David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

Mr Martin told the Daily Echo he was concerned about “democracy, prosperity and freedom”.

“If you look throughout the world, it’s the democratic countries which have done well – the US is far more successful than South America, which has a similar population and resources. South Korea vs North Korea, West Germany vs East Germany, it’s always the democracies which do better.

“The problem with the EU is it takes democracy away. The laws are initiated by the European Commission and the people on the commission aren’t elected and therefore that’s just not democracy.

“The big picture is that the EU’s becoming less democratic and that’s already impacting very heavily on Portugal, Greece and Spain, with 50 per cent youth unemployment forecast.”

Mr Martin, 61, who founded Wetherspoon in 1979, said the British economy could thrive outside the EU and that this would help fuel success in his industry.

“If Germans, French, Italians, want to come and work here, they should be able to do as they do now – the core countries of the EU. But I feel we have to make sure our laws are made in this country before other countries are admitted to the EU,” he added.

“I have very strong feelings about what people should do but I feel it’s better to say ‘Here’s the argument, here’s what the other side is saying, make up your mind’, which is what I think David Cameron should have done,” he said.

“He should have sat back and let you judge, which is what Harold Wilson did in 1975,” he added.

Mr Martin was recognised by several customers, who heaped praise on the company, which runs around 1,000 pubs.

Real ale fan John Kelly said he agreed with Mr Martin’s stance on the EU. “If we don’t vote ‘out’, this country’s finished,” he said.