This is going to be the most boring election in ages

It's election time. The time when smart politicians start shouting stupid things. Popular slogans, tax cuts and the extra billions to be distributed are daily fare. While after the elections promises under the guise of 'compromise' are being ironed out. However, the subject of politics is becoming increasingly complex.

This requires quite a bit of the voter to make a sound choice. Various voice tools can help with this. But often only a few statements relate to the agricultural world. And these statements are often suggestive or multi-interpretable.

My experience is that people often vote for a party or person that can mean the most to them. I do not advise which party to vote for. That would be a 'we-of-toilet duckling'. I do, however, give you voting advice per political spectrum in the following paragraphs. You can look for a party yourself. Admittedly, it is not always clear which quadrant of the political spectrum a party belongs to. The most difficult to categorize batch, that of the hydrogen peroxide crest, I place in the former category. If you read election manifestos or otherwise reasonably inform yourself about the political landscape, it is likely that you find my account too short-sighted.

left-conservative
The corner of the angry people. Do you think you will be caught by strangers who will take your job or annex your land to build a mosque? Are changes moving too fast for you? Do you think that globalization is not conducive to the export of your products? Are you busy in everyday life with what is not virtue of others? Then there is a good chance that you will feel at home here.

left-progressive
The most lovely people category. They like to organize things from the government. A system of collecting and distributing taxpayers' money may be broadly rigged. Do you believe in the power of a society that can determine what is good for the individual? Would you like to help build a socio-economic safety net so that no one threatens to fall overboard? Do you see most livestock farmers as people who don't take good enough care of their livestock? Even if you think that agriculture should be completely organic, you are in the right place.

right-wing conservative
The most satisfied people who think things are going well. Little should be changed in the existing agricultural policy. Agricultural subsidies must be maintained and Brussels must not be so concerned about the phosphate ceiling. Do you benefit from extremely stable government policy? Are radical changes not for you if this entails major risks with regard to current possessions, often built up family capital? Then you will certainly find a match to your liking here.

Right-progressive
The group of progressive people who want to make something of it together, but from the strength of the individual. Do you want to innovate and move forward with society by smartly dealing with (new) possibilities? Do you dare to think internationally? Are you an entrepreneur and do you have plenty of plans to invest, expand and innovate? Do you like to explore new techniques to farm more effectively? Are you not shy of high-tech and precision farming? You are guaranteed to find a match to your heart's content here.

There is something to choose from. There are also plenty of parties. But in your choice, remember: the economy is improving, unemployment is falling and the level of well-being is higher than ever. Of course, a lot still needs to be done: let's hurry up with the energy transition, the tax system is due for reform and the labor market is also lacking something.

Every group of people has its own troubles with the government. As for the uncertainty regarding the Deregulation Assessment of Labor Relations (DBA) for the self-employed, the phosphate problem is for the livestock farmer. Despite this, the Netherlands is very well governed and most people are doing extremely well. We will never know whether it is because of or despite the policy of the last cabinet term. The fact remains that by and large things are going well for the Netherlands. The new cabinet will at most have a partial influence on this. Whether the political discourse in times of elections is still about matters that really should be about? It might be the most boring election in a long time. 

Mark Hebing

Mark Heebing is a landscape designer and area developer. His blogs deal with land use in relation to contemporary developments. With his idiosyncratic view, he tries to give new twists to discussions.

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