One of the main talking points to be debated on Saturday is the asylum law. About 200 members will table a motion to take the law off the table. There has long been unrest within the party over the law. A few weeks ago, party leader Mark Rutte had to step in to quell disagreement within the group.
Thorbecke
The motion comes from a group of members who describe themselves as “classical liberals”. They want the party to speak out against the asylum law, because the law would be contrary to the classical liberal idea. Unfairly, says former foreign minister and party official Uri Rosenthal. He therefore doubts that the motion will pass.
According to Rosenthal, the asylum law should be “allowed” by the liberal Johan Rudolf Thorbecke, who quotes: “Thorbecke says that the municipality lives in the state by the will of the legislator.” And, he continues, Thorbecke discussed this with a Member of Parliament in the 19th century. «He said that the municipality would be an independent body next to the state. But he was wrong, according to Thorbecke.’
You therefore support van Rosenthal for the asylum law, partly on i. And also from the president of JOVD Michiel Suijker. He thinks that liberals must protect the individual freedom rights of each individual, “and therefore also of asylum seekers”. “These people are now sleeping on the street and if there’s something limiting freedom, that’s it.”
Accept that you disagree
Suijker in particular wants to underline that any form of discussion within the party is good, even on the law on asylum. “It’s okay to occasionally disagree with one another at a popular party.” Accept that you disagree.’ Now he lacks this within the party. The “VVD” are optimistic people looking for solutions. Now it seems that things are only going badly within the party, but we must all look for solutions, even if we don’t entirely agree among ourselves.’