By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2025-01-25 00:15:46 | Updated at 2025-01-26 07:14:51
1 day ago
A business owner from Peterborough is calling on Sir Keir Starmer to adopt Donald Trump's plan for turbocharging the US economy, which rests on promoting local business, cutting government waste and clamping down on illegal immigration.
Gez Chetal, 57, is a pillar of his local community.
He runs the Thomas Paine Hotel in the market town of Thetford, Prismstart - a scheme to get ex-offenders, the homeless and the vulnerable back into work - and the Peterborough Community Business Awards every year. He also works with local schools to advise on career opportunities.
"I try to promote local farmers, independent businesses and small independents," he told GB News.
Given Gez's cast-iron commitment to his local community, it's no surprise that he's a cheerleader for Trump's pro-business, America First agenda.
Gez Chetal calls on Starmer to adopt Trumpian policies to boost British economy
Gez Chetal/Getty Images
Upon returning to the Oval Office, Trump signed a flurry of executive orders to give domestic industries a shot in the arm, aiming to make them more efficient, and competitive, providing job security to millions of hard-working Americans.
"I am 100 per cent with Mr Trump on that. What he's doing, we should be doing the same," Gez said.
He was particularly taken with the executive order mandating that federal employees return to in-person work at their respective duty stations full-time, effectively ending remote work arrangements for civil servants.
"We're promoting people working from home and going down to a four-day week," the hotel owner lamented, referring to civil servants working remotely and Labour's mooted plans for a shorter working week.
"How is that going to help the taxpayer by paying people for a five-day week to work a four-day week? What are we going to come to?" Gez asks.
In addition to not "being able to get hold of anyone", he strongly feels that working from home has created a culture of laziness and sends the message that Britain is not open for business.
Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration also makes sense from a business perspective, Gez claims.
The 47th President signed several executive orders beefing up border security and immigration on his first day in office.
He has promised the "largest domestic deportation operation in American history", aiming to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
This would apply to both those with criminal records and those without but residing illegally in the US.
Please write at least 1 paragraphs
When asked whether Keir Starmer should get equally as tough on immigration, Gez said: "We need to curb it."
He explained: "I have nothing against any migrants whatsoever because we need them in this country to work because our lot are not working. We've got skill shortages. We've got manpower shortages.
"But we must not bring down areas by bringing in people who don't really speak English or integrate into the community. Unfortunately, it just doesn't work."
As a hotel owner, he's keen to attract people to the area, but an influx of people who don't seek employment and "frighten" the locals does the opposite, Gez adds.
Housing migrants is a particular sore spot for the hotelier.
"I'm paying silly amounts of tax. But what am I getting for it? Nothing. I'm just making sure that all these bills are covered for everyone."
Protecting local businesses and jobs is the Trump policy that arguably resonates the most with Gez.
The Republican leader has unveiled a slew of policies and executive orders focusing on deregulation, tax policy, and making domestic industries more competitive.
This includes directives to eliminate two regulations for every new one introduced, which directly impacts small and local businesses by reducing compliance costs and simplifying operations.
Trump's administration has emphasised "Buy American" policies, encouraging federal agencies to purchase goods made in the US, thereby supporting local manufacturers and businesses.
"It's fantastic," Gez told GB News, adding: "It brings the whole community together."
