VSP members at UU leave the far-right party

All VSP members in Utrecht, including volunteers, have decided to "disassociate themselves from VSP, after careful consultations." This was stated by the party's leader in Utrecht, Lloyd-Leonard Opdam, in a written response to DUB's questions. In addition to leading the party at the Utrecht University Council, Opdam was also part of the national VSP board this academic year. He also resigned from the board, following the negative publicity. 

Opdam was closely involved in establishing VSP's Utrecht branch in 2024. The far-right student party aimed to offer a counterbalance to what they perceived as a “left-wing progressive university”, advocating an open debate and academic freedom. Soon, it became known as "the anti-woke party".

In a written response, Opdam says it is "sad" to have to leave the party. "On the other hand, I know that this team in Utrecht does a fantastic job and is very close-knit. We can take a punch and will move on with determination and strength. The mission continues, just under a different name. That's the most important thing."

VSP holds one of the 12 student seats on the University Council and is also represented on three faculty councils. It holds two of the nine seats on the Faculty Council of Law, Economics, & Governance; one of the twelve seats on the Faculty Council of Humanities; and one of the seven seats on the Faculty Council of Science.

Nazi song and assault
VSP members in Utrecht said they had been dissatisfied with the national leadership for some time, but the recent negative publicity involving VSP's founder was the trigger for their decision to leave the party.

Two VSP members in Amsterdam were arrested on suspicion of violence and assault. The chair and founder of VSP sang a Nazi song alongside another member of the party at a reception for University Council members held at VU Amsterdam late last year. Another student, a member of the SRVU student union, confronted the two VSP members about this. A VSP member then assaulted him, pushing his head against the ground several times.

According to Opdam, the incident in Amsterdam "does not meet the standards of decency and civilised behaviour, regardless of the context". He does not wish to comment further on it, as the criminal proceedings against the two VSP members are still ongoing.

National board
Opdam says that cooperation with the national VSP board had been difficult at times. "Our faction did not always fully agree with the national board or with everything VSP did in other universities. Sometimes, this led to obstacles in our work, as did the negative reporting about the Amsterdam faction." Apart from UU and VU Amsterdam, VSP is also active at Leiden University.

According to Opdam, VSP's Utrecht team will go on, as will the mutual cooperation between student members. The former VSP members are currently considering how to proceed in the next council year. They are thinking about founding a new student party.