A majority of MPs on Thursday agreed to press ahead with legislation to stamp out dual nationality and ban the burqa, despite the caretaker status of the government.

Labour MPs sided with the ruling VVD, CDA and anti-Islam PVV to agree not to label the draft laws controversial, which would have put them on ice until after the September general election.

Labour, which opposes both laws, says it took the decision to continue with the legislation so that people who will be affected by the plans know where they stand as soon as possible.

Certainty

‘A ban on the burqa can always be reversed,’ Labour MP Martijn van Dam told reporters.

‘Dual nationality is an issue which should be binned as soon as possible,’ he said. ‘At the moment, between 1.5 million and two million people don’t know whether or not they will have to hand in one of their passports. They need to know where they stand as soon as possible.’

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