The race to replace Job Cohen as leader of the Dutch Labour Party has begun in earnest. MPs Martijn van Dam and Diederik Samsom both want to set a new course for their party built on the old ideals.

Thirty-four-year-old Mr Van Dam says it is time for a new Labour Party, one that answers today’s questions and “gives people the tools to take charge of their own lives”. He wants to reshape the party and then “work hard on a new Netherlands”. To do this he wants to see educational and government reforms.

Mr Samsom at forty wants to see Labour Party ideals translated into clear choices so that there is no more fuss about the party course. He wants to see reforms in the labour market, salary systems, mortgage interest tax breaks, and investment in sustainable energy.

In 2008, Mr Samsom used to work for the environmental organisation Greenpeace. He is seen as a left-winger in the Labour Party.

Next month, party members will elect a new leader after Job Cohen announced he was standing down on Monday following continual criticism of his leadership both from the press and from within his own party. The winner of the election will also become leader of the parliamentary party. In the meantime, Jeroen Dijsselbloem has taken over Mr Cohen's duties temporarily.

At the next general election, candidates from all ranks and file of the party can put their names forward to lead the party into the election. One of the names that is falling frequently to do this is Amsterdam alderman Lodewijk Asscher. He says he will only consider whether or not to stand for this position next year.