The Drenthe representation in the House of Representatives was good for hundreds of debate contributions during the Cabinet term. Five MPs from the province spoke a total of 420 times the floor in a plenary debate, according to data from the House of Representatives.
On average, this collected for this group on one debate contribution per 3.8 days.
Harm Holman (NSC) from Roden is most active. He participated 141 times in a debate. Converted to the entire cabinet term, this amounts to 0.36 debate per day, and within its own active period (591 days) at 0.24 per day.
Eline Vedder (CDA) from Ruinerwold spoke 119 times, which amounts to 0.30 a day on the cabinet term, and 0.15 a day during her active 801 days.
Each Slagt-Tichelman (GroenLinks-PvdA) from Assen debated 86 times: 0.22 on average over the cabinet term, and 0.15 per day on its 591 active days.
Nico Uppelschoten (PVV) from Eelde came to 72 contributions, good for 0.18 per day on the cabinet term, and 0.19 within his own 380 -day period.
Jeroen Hartsuiker (VVD) from Klazienaveen, only since the beginning of July, came to 2 debate contributions; That is 0.005 a day calculated on the cabinet term, and 0.08 per day in its first 24 active days.
There are major differences in debate participation between the parties. On average, it is the groups of GroenLinks-PvdA, VVD and NSC that speak most often. PVV and D66 follow remotely, while the number of contributions at CDA, ChristenUnie and SGP is a lot lower.
De Boerburger movement (BBB) scores a place in the middle bracket with an average of 2.97 debate contributions per day, although that party does not currently have a MP from Drenthe.
The figures give a picture of the visibility of MPs in the plenary debate, but say nothing about the work outside of it. Many MPs are active in committees, working groups or in the preparation of legislation. That is less visible, but at least as important for parliamentary work.
Moreover, the roles within fractions differ: not everyone is a spokesperson on large or current files, which means that participation in relevant debates can be less.
After the summer break, the House of Representatives continues under a outgoing cabinet. It is precisely in such a phase that political profiling becomes important: parties are preparing for new elections, and debates are the place to make the difference.
For newcomers such as VVD member Jeroen Hartsuiker there is a chance to show himself. The other MPs in Drenthe have already done this regularly in the past year and can continue that line in the coming period.