While the six members of the AOV spent their time fighting with each other, Leerkes became a well-respected spokesperson for the elderly.
The party was a typical one issue party: it sought to better the position of the elderly with higher government pensions, better healthcare and improved facilities for elderly and handicapped.
Other issues it spoke out on were increasing youth criminality, directly elected mayors and a restrictive immigration policy.
They thought that it was time for the formation of 'horizontal' parties, which were not based on certain ideologies, but certain age groups.
The party was supported by elderly, especially by former CDA-voters from the Southern provinces, North Brabant and Limburg.