Dissatisfied VVD members are also concerned about the “gap” between The Hague and the rest of the Netherlands. They are very critical of the course of their party. Previously, it was clear that the CDA was very concerned about this issue. About a hundred VVD members have now sent a letter of concern to party leader Rutte, party leader Hermans, and party leader Wetzels.
The signatories write that last week’s elections clearly showed how divided the Netherlands is, with “the division between Randstad and the rest of the country becoming painfully clear.” And according to the letter, there is no connection within the VVD between the summit in The Hague and the members and voters.
“Top-Down Bite Size Pieces”
“We are presented with bite-sized pieces from top to bottom for us to perform and examine,” says the letter, which was first signed by Daniëlle van der Raad. She is a member of the Lelystad City Council. The letter writers also say that the “club in The Hague” thinks very little of itself.
The signatories also consider that the party leadership makes little use of the ideas and knowledge of its members. According to the letter, motivated members hit walls and exit when they “do not fit into the current framework,” which “only widens the gap and dissatisfaction among party members is growing rapidly.”
“The time of the great savior is over”
Van der Raad and others emphasize that the people make up the party. “It’s not politics and it’s definitely not political leadership. (..) The time of the ‘great savior’ who knows what is best for ‘the subjects’ is truly over,” they write.
The letter writers believe that the VVD should concentrate on the future and “not be bothered by possible political unrest.” They also advocate greater inclusion of the younger generation in discussions.
Van der Raad emphasizes that the party leadership must keep up with changes over time: “If you say you take the message seriously and do something from it, it needs to be visible in practice as well.”
Source: NOS
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
