In response to: “Commentary on Troels Thylstrup, Heinrich Berwald, and Knud Holdgård: You are missing a central point”

With his proposal for an association pass for everyone, Jens Damsbo Kjærsgaard has presented something that actually already existed in Herning Municipality long before his proposal was put on the table. For several years, the Leisure Pass has given children and young people between the ages of three and 17 from low-income families up to 2000 kroner for association activities - a scheme we in the Social Democrats have fully supported.

We think that awareness of the Leisure Pass is still too low. This is despite the fact that we, in the Social Democrats, have helped ensure that the administration has worked to spread awareness, but we want it to become even more well-known over the next four years, so that no children or young people are left out of the community due to finances.

Jens also calls for a scheme for adults. Here it is important to mention that in 2025, the government has introduced the Culture Pass, which helps young people up to the age of 24 who are not in a job or education. The Culture Pass builds a bridge to communities precisely for the group that has the greatest need.

We must ask: Is it conservative policy that everyone - including those who can pay themselves - should have an association pass? In the Social Democrats, we want to target help where it does the most good.

We will continue to strengthen association life, spread awareness of existing schemes, and ensure that no children or young people are left out of the community due to finances.

This reader’s letter has been translated from Danish.