One of the Netherlands’ most high profile members of the European parliament, D66’s Sophie in ‘t Veld, is leaving the liberal democrats for pan-European party Volt.

In ‘t Veld said in a letter to party members that Europe was becoming sidelined in the party she joined 30 years ago.

“In practice, national politics in The Hague has become increasingly centralised in our way of thinking and acting,” she said. ‘European issues are treated as small change, to be traded.”

Volt, she said, “with its liberal, progressive, radical pro-European vision,” is a better match for her own personal beliefs.

D66 issued a short statement stating it was sorry that In ‘t Veld was leaving. “Much still needs to be done in Europe in terms of boosting democracy, cooperation and a radical, pro-European approach,” party leader Sigrid Kaag said.

In ‘t Veld, 59, was elected to the European parliament in 2004 and also led the European parliamentary campaign on behalf of D66 since then.

Under Volt rules, she will not be eligible to run for the party at next year’s European elections because she will not have been a member for long enough, NOS reported.