The cold reality of Geert Wilders and the PVV's popularity in Holland

Some time ago I harshly criticised the current affairs program "Nova" for a sloppy prejudiced report about the Pope's visit to Israel. In a program screened 27 August on Geert Wilders and his Freedom Party (PVV) they have more than made up for it.

There were two outstanding reports, one about the motivations of people who were prepared to vote for the PVV and the other about an Islamic school in Amsterdam that has had Amsterdam council tearing its hair out for ten years. The school simply refused to comply with government rules and requirements, although they said they would each time they were approached. "Oh, yes, we'll do it" to their faces, but "go to hell" when the doors were closed on the councillors. The problem came to a head when a Dutch teacher was sacked recently for questioning the school regime, among other things objecting to the school telling their pupils that only Muslims in Holland are good. In this comment, however, I want to concentrate on the first report.

The report was about a survey Nova had commissioned to find out what the motivations were of people who are prepared to vote for Wilders and his party. The research company was Synovate (Research Reinvented). The information gathered by the survey does not only have significance for Holland. The motivations of PVV voters would largely reflect those in other Western countries, including Australia, who are supporting a Wilders style party or are sick to death of the political environment where there is (as yet) no such party. The results of the survey point to distinct motivations which in turn reflect the PVV's platform. The questions and the answers are reproduced below:

Question 1
There are different reasons why someone can have a preference for the PVV (Freedom Party): the leader, the positions (policies) or for example the present government. Could you say how decisive each point is for you choice of the PVV?

How decisive? not at all somewhat very much

On account of the positions [policies] of the PVV 3% 34% 63%

Geert Wilders is strong in debate 5% 40% 54%

You have a lot of trust in Wilders 4% 45% 48%

You have little trust in present government 13% 29% 57%

You have little trust in politics in general 19% 33% 46%

Because there is much opposition to Wilders& PVV 27% 34% 38%

The most important point here is that policies, debating ability and trust are very decisive in the vote for Wilders and his party.

Question 2
Can you indicate which reasons are the most decisive for you in your choice for the PVV?

Because of the PVV's position [policies] 38%

You have little trust in the government and politics in general 38%

You have a lot of trust in Wilders 16%

Wilders is strong in debating 5%

Because there is much opposition to Wilders & PVV 2%

None of the above/cannot choose 1%

Overwhelmingly the PVV's policies and distrust of the government are the key motivations.

Question 3
Below are a number of positions the PVV projects. Can you indicate to what extent they are decisive in your choice for the PVV?

not at all somewhat Very much

The PVV thinks criminality is not adequately dealt with 9% 90%

The PVV thinks that penalty [crime] is not adequate 1% 14% 84%

The PVV is strong on freedom and freedom of speech 1% 21% 77%

The PVV is critical of Islam 4% 27% 68%

The PVV thinks there are too many foreigners in Holland 5% 25% 69%

The PVV thinks Holland has too little say in Europa 5% 31% 61%

The PVV thinks taxes are too high 7% 36% 52%

Once again the motivations are clear. Crime, punishment, infringements on freedom, Islam and migration are the key concerns of the people who are prepared vote for Wilders and the PVV.

In summary, supporters of Wilders and the PVV are motivated to vote for them because they agree with PVV policies and are sick to death of government inaction on the problems the PVV is targeting. What this survey does not mention is that PVV supporters are not only unhappy with government policy and inaction on the problems that concern them. It's just not the government. There is a dominant political class in Holland which government serves. It's the same in Australia. PVV voters are in rebellion against the dominant class. This is a crucial point in the rise of the PVV.

This came out clearly in the street interviews with PVV supporters. There was a number of articulate people interviewed, including two Jewish Dutch young men. Most spoke of an intimidating climate of political correctness that was preventing the ordinary person from speaking out. As with Wilders, speaking out ran the risk of being smeared with Nazism. The two Jewish youths ironically were concerned with the growing anti-Semitism, in addition to the problems of crime and illegal migrants.

There is a chasm between the dominant political class in Holland and the ordinary Dutch citizen. And calling ordinary people Nazis or fascists will not solve anything. In fact, it will only cause more resentment.

In Australia, though behind Holland in social decomposition, the same set of circumstances exists. There warning is there. The dominant political class will never listen. It is up to ordinary citizens to force them to listen by vigorously exercising their democratic right - before they end up being trussed hands and feet by the ever-increasing political class legislation.

LINK TO THE SURVEY RESULTS:
http://www.novatv.nl/data/media/db_download/46_b8d723.pdf

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