Sandra Palmen

Biography

“Rule of law is crucial”

The rule of law is absolutely crucial, as it protects people against the government. In recent years, however, our government has violated people’s rights, based on an unrealistic view of human beings. Government policy has robbed people of their livelihoods and excluded them from society.

Knowledge and space

People first, rules second, organisations third – not the other way round. Government should serve society and protect the common good, and we urgently need to start considering how laws and regulations affect real people. For our government to be honest and just, we need to put knowledgeable people in charge and give them the latitude to apply their knowledge.

Memo

Before I was elected as an MP, I worked for the central government for 26 years. The memo I wrote on the childcare benefits scandal and that ended up being named after me stemmed from my sense of justice and the terrible injustices I had seen. The government had lost sight of people’s rights and put organisational interests over those of people in its decision-making.

Gown

In the past, I was a deputy judge at the Central Appeals Tribunal, the highest judicial authority in the field of social security. Unfortunately, I am no longer allowed to be a judge now that I am an MP. I still have Alex Brenninkmeijer’s gown at home, name and all, after he gave it to me in 2020 for the work I did in unearthing the childcare benefits scandal. Even though I cannot wear it as a judge anymore, it is still a potent reminder of the importance of justice.