Opinion

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Balkenende past sell by date.

Tuesday 16 March 2010

Christian Democrats and Labour can work together without any problems on a local level, in Enschedé for example. There’s still time to change course, say active CDA members Jan Bolscher and Armand Dohmen in Monday’s Volkskrant.

On Monday March 8 we were told Balkenende would stay on as party leader. He’s a man who had some difficult decisions to make in troubled times and whose record shows a number of positives. But he is also responsible for two consecutive council election losses and he has failed to bring to term any of his four cabinets.

Expired

JP’s political sell by date has expired. It’s time to move on. In March 2006 the Christian Democrats lost the local elections and even then it was clear that the party’s fortunes in the provinces had been negatively influenced by what was happening in The Hague. It wouldn’t happen again, the party chairman said. Lessons had been learnt! And then came 2010.

In spite of the good work of Christian Democrats on the ground, election results nosedived again thanks to Balkenende’s lack of leadership, van Geel’s vacuousness and the power games Verhagen played over Uruzgan. Of course the Christian Democrats blamed Bos for blowing up the cabinet.

It’s very odd, isn’t it. The Christian Democrats dealt Labour blow after blow and then blamed them for ducking. What did they hope to achieve? These party political games showed a complete lack of judgement and should not be allowed to go unpunished. Why is it that we, on a local level have no problems cooperating with Labour? Why can’t they do it in parliament?

For a former professor in Christian philosophy Balkenende showed precious little understanding of the fact that his cabinet wasn’t ruled by issues but by power rituals. The marriage had gone flat, it was said, but did the Christian Democrats ever do anything to rekindle the flame?

And now what?

Horror scenario

Another coalition with Labour is rejected almost out of hand while a partnership with the PVV is considered a possible. We feel this would be the ultimate horror scenario. Our society is built on non-discrimination and tolerance.

We have to admit that tolerance does not mean we should tolerate everything and anything. But that shouldn’t be a reason for seeking out a partnership with a party that wants to get rid of it altogether. Societies blossom when they open themselves up to new influences and we have to deal with both the opportunities and the problems that brings. The PVV only rejects and condemns.

People are losing faith in politics and that is a worrying thing. Politics is about how to live and work in this country and that’s important.

Politicians however are masters in making people feel that this is the last thing politics is about. They see politicians emphasising differences between parties and using them to get one over on each other or making them the subject of commissions which only serve party interests. They see a complete lack of initiative and a lot of party political machinations. And they are sick and tired of it so they vote for Wilders or not at all.

Media

Is it just politics and the media which are to blame? Or is it us, the voters who have been legitimising the fact that politicians prefer to see their faces on television instead of stopping to see if any of their policies actually made a difference.

We need politicians who remember what is all about. We think that the Christian Democrat party’s three core values- justice, solidarity and stewardship- will be much better served by a coalition with what we call the left wing parties in this country.

With Labour that means having to make sure a society based on solidarity remains financially feasible and with the VVD it means having to fight for its continuation. But with the PVV all credibility would go out of the window. There’s still time.

This is an unofficial translation.

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