Tough language heralded the return of VVD (conservative) MP Henk Kamp to the lower house of the Dutch parliament.
His message is aimed at voters; they don't have to defect to Geert Wilders or Rita Verdonk, they can stay in the VVD for tough anti-Islam rhetoric and anti-immigrant policies.
Some 30 percent of the Dutch electorate no longer vote along traditional lines. These swing voters are not influenced by principles or social economic questions; they are influenced by issues about which they are woefully ignorant but are the subject of tough talk by politicians.
Political opportunism
Despite the fact that the majority of Dutch people have had nothing to do with crime, it was the most important theme during the elections a few years ago. The development has led to the steady increase of opportunism on the Dutch political landscape.
The developments also led to Geert Wilders' right-wing Party for Freedom, PVV, winning nine seats at the last election. Throughout the election campaign, the PVV hammered home its hard-line against foreigners, specifically Islamic foreigners, and the tactic paid off in parliamentary seats. The former immigration and integration minister Rita Verdonk, currently leading a one-person party in parliament, has also been beating the anti-immigrant drum. With her tough immigration policies and anti-immigrant rhetoric, Ms Verdonk has created an image that the latest opinion polls suggest could win as many as 18 seats in the next election.
Damage to the conservatives
These developments have to a certain degree damaged the conservative VVD party. It's no coincidence that both Mr Wilders and Ms Verdonk are former members of the party. It would be easy for party leader Mark Rutte to borrow their rhetoric for his party's policies on the same issues, but he and his closest advisers have decided not to follow that course. They say they are determined to formulate policies in line with their own conservative values and ideals, and not to give in to opportunism.
Henk Kamp's return is something of a godsend to the VVD. A former defence minister, he was extremely popular both with the troops and the electorate, and is now the party's immigration affairs and Islam spokesperson. He has been absent from The Hague for the last six months due to knee surgery. He used his recovery period to write a 'document of basic principles on sensitive issues'. Although the document does not contain a single new idea or proposal, it does give the illusion that the VVD is back in control and knows what its values and ideals are.
Kamp's proposals
Mr Kamp released his proposals on immigration and integration at the weekend. They include actively tracking down and deporting all illegal aliens, banning mosques from broadcasting the call to prayer over loudspeakers, and stricter regulations governing import brides. The document also calls for dual passport holders aged 18 or older who become involved in criminal activity to be stripped of their Dutch nationality, a ban on all clothing that conceals the face, and faster evaluation - and eventually faster deportation - of asylum seekers.
There's nothing new in the plans but Mr Kamp's proposals could help the party to win back support that has drifted towards the more populist camps.
Still popular, but out of power
Henk Kamp's document is relatively short but the tone is tough and the author is still popular. He was, as he put it, "careful to remain within the bounds of decency". In a departure from the rhetoric of Mr Wilders and Ms Verdonk, Mr Kamp also wrote, "discrimination is just as bad as radicalisation."
The onlooker shouldn't be fooled into thinking that the 'Kamp Document'' has changed Dutch policies on immigration, immigrant affairs and Islam. The VVD, the PVV and Rita Verdonk are all on the opposition benches. They can scream as much as they like but the ruling coalition, supported by the left-wing opposition, is sure to follow its extremely moderate course. Despite his popularity, Henk Kamp can do nothing about it.
* RNW translation (jc)
Tags: conservative, Dutch, Henk Kamp, immigration, parliament, Party for Freedom, PVV, VVD