Van der Plas began her career as a journalist, covering the meat industry for Reed Business. She would later shift to communications, providing support to agricultural workers' associations and the Dutch Association of Pig Farmers.[3]
Political career
Originally a member of the CDA, Van der Plas left the party shortly after the 2019 provincial elections.[3] During her membership, she had frequently criticised the party for not doing enough to represent the interests of the agricultural sector. In response to the widespread farmers' protests that took place in the Netherlands in October 2019, she then founded the Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB).[2]
On 17 October 2020, Van der Plas was unanimously chosen as the party leader of the BBB.[5] Her campaign for the 2021 general election focused on issues important to rural and agrarian voters, including pledges for a "Ministry of the Countryside" located at least 100 kilometres from The Hague, and a removal of the ban on neonicotinoids.[5] The party won one seat in the House of Representatives, and Van der Plas was installed on 31 March 2021.[6][7] She continued to serve as the BBB's parliamentary leader after the November 2023 general election as well as spokesperson for agriculture, nature, health, and infrastructure. The latter two specialties were replaced by foreign trade and development aid following the swearing in of the Schoof cabinet.[8]
Personal life
Van der Plas lives in Deventer and has two sons.[3] Her husband, Jan Gruben, died in 2019 of pancreatic cancer.[3]
^"Proces-verbaal verkiezingsuitslag Tweede Kamer 2021" [Report of the election results House of Representatives 2021] (PDF). Dutch Electoral Council (in Dutch). 29 March 2021. pp. 155–156. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
