That GroenLinks is working very closely with the Labour Party these days is no longer news. And especially since the 2023 second parliamentary election, it almost seems obvious that GroenLinks and the Labour Party do everything together. After all, a joint list was also chosen in the EU elections. Surely then also for the municipal elections in 2026? But we are not that far yet. Because we are still two separate parties at least until 2026, we as members get to vote on this. In Utrecht, this is done through a referendum held between 14 and 21 November. And that's what I'd like to talk about.

So what do we get to vote on?

Last June, GroenLinks's ALV (General Members' Meeting) passed a motion submitted by the board. In short, it states that the board may take on the task of entering into talks with the PvdA, working out cooperation scenarios, facilitating member participation on this and holding a referendum on it. They came up with five options ranging from a joint list, group and election programme to no official cooperation at all. They can be found in more detail on the GL website (link below) but I will summarise them briefly.

1. A joint list and group

This is the most intensive form of collaboration. It means we do almost everything together. A joint list, a joint group, a joint campaign and a joint election programme. Of course, everything takes into account that there is proportional participation from both parties. Saying yes to this option does not mean merging the local sections (as that is not possible) but it does mean that the sections including the working groups will work together very intensively.

2. Fractional merger

GroenLinks and the Labour Party will go into the elections with their own list and programme, but immediately after the elections they will form a joint group. Within this group, portfolios will be divided. The group meets together,

as a group, and act together as a collective. There will also be a joint campaign and members will work together more.

3. Out together, home together

This means that GroenLinks and Labour Party will hold each other in coalition negotiations. In other words, GroenLinks only goes into the college if PvdA goes too and vice versa. In doing so, we run our own campaign but we signal to voters that we intend to work together. We have our own programme committee and programme, but we also write a joint effort on themes we both consider important.

4. Distribution of spokespersonships

GroenLinks and the Labour Party keep their own groups, but share certain spokespersonships. This ensures that with the same number of people, you can give sufficient attention to more portfolios, because parties no longer have their own separate spokesperson on certain themes. That is why the substantive working groups will also work together. The rest will remain separate.

5. No formal form of cooperation

In fact, exactly as it is now in Utrecht. No official agreements are made, but if it happens to be convenient to do something together on a certain subject, it is still possible. That has also happened recently.

Now you may be thinking: but surely a referendum always has only two options? That's right. We only get to vote whether we want to do option 1 or not. That's because drawing up a joint list is a lot of trouble. If we go for this option, the spots on the list up to 13 will be divided among the parties where for every Labour Party member, there are two GroenLinksers, because GroenLinks currently has more than twice as many seats. But yes, then you also have preferential votes and the group chairman is also elected separately. That is normally the same, only here you are still dealing with two separate associations. Two associations that cannot be merged by statute either until the national parties of which they are part do so. Which brings me straight to my first argument. Having to bicker about who gets which spot on the list is a waste of our time and effort. And just a lot of hassle.

So what happens if there is a no vote? Then suddenly the other four options open up. And to put it bluntly, you could still collaborate immensely on content in this case, you just don't have that common list. But then who decides to what extent? That has not yet been worked out in detail but that will probably be partly up to us but also largely up to the councillors themselves. And I think that's actually quite logical. They are the people who actually have to do it. Besides, GroenLinks has also been in a coalition with the Labour Party for over two years now, so there will be councillors on the list in 2026 anyway who have worked together before and can make a good assessment from experience.

Our own story

Actually, the main reason I am against a joint list is because I feel we can tell our own story much more strongly separately. People sometimes act as if GroenLinks and the Labour Party are secretly already the same party. But I do believe there are differences. And instead of pushing them away or glossing over them, I think we can just embrace them. I think if we are allowed to keep our separate profile, we can appeal to a lot more people.

Thus, Utrecht is and will remain a student city. And we as GroenLinks can address young people much better. In my experience, climate is one of the most important issues for them. When campaigning, I most often heard that a student had doubts about Volt or D66 but never actually about PvdA. From that, I dare to draw the conclusion that PvdA really does have a dusty image after all. And that besides climate themes such as inclusion and LGBT+ rights, which GroenLinks also profiles itself on (and which D66 and Volt also take up) are very much on the minds of young people.

The Labour Party can then refocus on more moderate voters we might otherwise lose to right-wing parties, or on people who are struggling a bit financially. The A for Worker say, people who then often see GroenLinks as the oatmeal elite again. There are many people who have a bit less to spend who really agree with us on social issues, yet know us mostly as sour motorist bullies and the Labour Party does not. My fear is that if you fully merge, people on both the left and the right will walk away. The reality is that elections are about how people see you and not always about what you actually do or think. And if you have more to choose from on the left, I hope it will be easier to maintain your luxury position within the Netherlands of a fully progressive majority in Utrecht.

Not all or nothing

And then another reality: if you are going to work together, at some point comprisions have to be made, that's part of it. But it would still be nicer not to be forced to do so should it ever come to the point where one of our core values is at stake. As mentioned, there are indeed differences between GroenLinks and Labour, on social issues only in the details but when it comes to, for instance, how big a role green should play. Still, for many members a really important issue. I then think, save yourself the disappointment if it is not necessary. Because I don't think it is necessary. For years, GroenLinks has managed to put its eco-conscious stamp on the city and worked to make it a safer place for refugees and other vulnerable groups. We have an engaged presence and a clear story. A story that the Labour Party can add to but need not complete. We have to weigh up what is best for our city and we can still do great things together. And as far as I am concerned, that is without a joint list.

TDLR (so still briefly):

From 14 to 21 November, the city of Utrecht will hold a referendum on whether we want a joint list with the Labour Party. This includes a joint campaign and programme. There are also less intensive cooperation options but these will only be considered if there is a “no” vote in the referendum. We as the board of DWARS Utrecht are against a joint list. (To form this list at all with another party acting as a separate association is a lot of hassle and a waste of our time).

We can appeal to many more voters if we are allowed to tell our own story during a campaign. GroenLinks, for example, connects much more with the many students in Utrecht who find climate very important. While the Labour Party can still keep more moderate voters or those struggling financially on the left. If you go together, you will have people on both sides who will drop out disappointed because you have to compromise at some point.

And that while Utrecht is a very progressive city in which that is not necessary at all. A city where GroenLinks has been bringing a beautiful and strong story to fruition for years. And you actually want to have something to choose from on the left. We think you should work together where it is logical and natural, not because of any particular pressure. And you can do that much better if you go for a less fierce option. So if you live in Utrecht, go vote! And if you want to follow our advice, vote no.

For collaboration details and other practical information:

https://utrecht.groenlinks.nl/linkse-samenwerking