Interview Maurice von Martels
Von Martels wants to go back into the Chamber for BBB
He does not hold a grudge. "I also owe a lot to the CDA." But after seeing the farmers' grassroots drift further and further away and being the only farmer in the House of Representatives to be put on the list in an ineligible place, Maurits von Martels could no longer find the motivation.
Last Wednesday, Von Martels made the difficult decision for him to turn his back on the party and join the BoerBurgerBeweging (BBB). Boerenbusiness spoke to the dairy farmer and former Member of Parliament about his motives.
In your letter of termination to the CDA, you write that there is no motivation to continue to work for the future. What went wrong between you and the party?
"In itself, in four years in the House I have been able to make a valuable contribution to all kinds of areas. But agriculture has been a hot item in the past four years and as the only farmer in the House you think you can get involved in that too. My expertise lies of course in nature and agriculture. I have always noticed that I did not get the chance to do what was necessary. Then you settle for that and think: there will be more opportunities in the next period. Then the electoral list is drawn up and you expect a place 20 to 25. Number 39 is an insult to the voter. With the support of 21.510 voters, nothing is done. Others have also been literally dismissed. That is not in line with my feeling. And how seriously do you take the agricultural sector? Agricultural spokesperson Jaco Geurts was number 11, but had indicated that he no longer wanted to do it.The first agricultural spokesperson (Eline Vedder ed.) was number 23. I then thought: after the parliamentary term, I'll see if I can find some motivation to continue to work."
"I have been in regular contact with Caroline van der Plas since 2018 and she has also shown that she really wants to have me there. A feeling that CDA has never given me in itself. I may also be able to make a difference for BBB. On It took me a long time, but last week after a good conversation with Caroline in Deventer, I came to the decision."
You did have agriculture-related matters, such as crop protection, animal welfare and biotechnology in your portfolio, but you were not an agricultural spokesperson. Did that stick?
"I have spoken out against the feed measure, I was not grateful for that either. I would have liked to have shown our face better during the farmer's protests on the Malieveld. I could not tell my story myself, because I was not the agricultural spokesperson, that was very difficult. We also lost the battle there with BBB, because we did not stand up enough for the supporters. The position has only deteriorated further after that."
What role will you play in the BoerBurgerBeweging?
"We have agreed to see what is needed. That will grow that way. I am now a full-time farmer, my time is also limited. Perhaps there is a role for me in guiding candidates for the Provincial Council elections Member of the Provincial Council itself is not immediately obvious. The way I look at it now, I do want to stand for election for the House of Representatives. But that will take years, then we will have to look further in due course."
Many farmers are disappointed in the CDA. Can that trust be restored?
"The CDA itself must make it clear that it still has an eye for the countryside and not just opt for the city. Political changes in themselves are happening very quickly and there is a short political memory, so it is possible, but in practice the CDA must realize that she really believes in the sector BBB takes that sentiment much better and is better able to do good things for farmers, horticulturists and everyone in the countryside Let me be clear: I don't have a big grudge against the CDA. It was a difficult choice, but the penny has fallen to the BBB. I don't want to give too much to the CDA. I also owe a lot to the party, that's why it took me so long. Some think it's brave what I do , others opportunistic, but I was more or less sidelined. I wish CDA all the best. We still need each other desperately and I hope that we will be able to work together in the future."
Linda van Eekeres
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