Why did you become a member of the Provincial Council?

I actually got involved in politics at a young age. In high school, I participated in the provincial youth debate. Suddenly, I was facing real council members, with whom we discussed our ideas for the province. That made an impression: the realization that you can be heard if you know where to knock. That inspired me.

From that moment on, I remained socially active. Within GroenLinks, I attended discussion evenings and organized political meetings. This made me think a lot about society and how it works. And the province plays a key role in many of these themes: think of nature conservation, housing construction, a healthy living environment, and sustainable infrastructure. When I saw that I could stand as a candidate, I thought: maybe it’s time to contribute myself.

How do you like working as a representative?

It is truly special work. What we do often has effects that last for decades – I realize this especially now that I have a daughter. The choices we make now determine what our province will look like for our children and grandchildren. I find it very special to contribute to that as a council member. We are in a period where a lot is happening. It is never boring, and I am fortunate to be in a great faction with engaged colleagues. There is a lot of experience in the faction, which helps to gain an overview. You quickly learn that policy is not separate from each other, but part of a larger whole – a kind of roof tile construction. Everything interacts, and you need to turn the right knobs at the right moment.

What do you want to achieve as a politician in North Holland?

I want us to keep searching for and maintaining balance: We must be careful with our nature AND we must not lose sight of the people for whom we do this work. Both sides are important.

That’s why we are structurally investing in climate measures. And at the same time, young people between 12 and 18 will soon receive discounts on bus transport. We also challenge industries to really become more sustainable. In the spatial proposal – in which we map out the major dilemmas – we have made it clear that we need to make choices. Not everything fits, so we need to determine: what do we do where and for whom? And that conversation is now in full swing. I truly believe this is the beginning of an important, influential period for North Holland.

About Walter Freeman

Walter Freeman (37) lives in Amsterdam with his partner and daughter. He plays bass guitar, follows the NBA, and works at the Woonbond, where he advocates for tenants and home seekers.