The Writing On The Wall

Further to my entry about the fact that the Dutch Government is thinking of banning the concept of dual nationality here in The Netherlands, I see that the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics is reporting that a majority of the Dutch are in favour of this change.

According to their survey, a large majority are in favour of banning dual nationality. Unsurprisingly, members of Wilder’s PVV party are 90% in favour of banning Cabinet Ministers from holding dual nationality.

It’s funny, when I first moved to The Netherlands in 1983, the Dutch had a reputation for tolerance, but now, in 2011, it seems to me that it’s no longer so self-evident. I would not be surprised if I will formally have to renounce my British citizenship in a few years time. Frankly, I think it reflects badly on the Dutch – a raising of the barriers to draw a line between “us” and “them”.