Making sense of Boris and Gert

The Dutch have never really understood Boris Johnson. Because of the proportional representation system of voting here, there are many small political parties who have a say in the running of things – and thus fewer political personalities. The Dutch are not naturally flamboyant in the way that Boris perhaps is – they don’t really understand his love of the camera and the sound-bite – and many certainly don’t agree with his political views.

Gert Wilders who leads the right wing PVV party here, perhaps takes some inspiration from Boris – he has a similar mop of blond hair, some of the same political views, and a love of the limelight and the sound-bite. He does not stand much chance of being Prime Minister in The Netherlands, but he is certainly having an impact!

Some of the arguments brought up by Boris (and others) frankly seem to baffle the Dutch. The Netherlands has always prided itself as having a close relationship with the United Kingdom – there is a danger of the Dutch feeling a little like a rejected lover – and a relationship which was once close could become a little fraught.

Although there are certainly problems with the European Union (no one is seeking to gloss over these), the Dutch are at least able to see some of the positive benefits that belonging to a bigger whole has brought. It seems that they hoped that the debate in the UK would be more positive, more constructive than it has been. A number of people have said ‘Surely they can talk about the benefits of belonging, rather than just saying we are not sure what is going to happen, so let’s stay where we are!’

I think there is a real hope that the vote to Remain will actually be a positive statement of intent, rather than a negative one of fear and uncertainty. We will have to wait and see!

About the author

For the last three years, Andrew Gready has been chaplain to the Anglican Church in The Hague. Before this, we were in Cape Town, South Africa – he has spent 25 years of my life in Southern Africa, and 25 years in the UK. He is married to Marion, who is a nurse, and they have three sons in different parts of the world. Throughout his ministry, he has sought to bring together church and community – he has been involved in various chaplaincy ministries in the areas where he has served. He is a bit of a sports fanatic, find gardening very therapeutic, and is currently studying for a Masters through Cranmer Hall, Durham.